Ukrainian forces launched a massive overnight drone attack targeting critical infrastructure in Saint Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin’s hometown, resulting in one death, five injuries and widespread fires at major energy facilities.
The strikes hit key sites including the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal, an oil depot, a logistics center and two power substations in the surrounding Leningrad Oblast, causing local electricity outages. Local officials reported shooting down over 140 drones in the region while Russia's Defence Ministry claimed over 1,000 Ukrainian drones were intercepted nationally.
The attack signals a collapse of a brief U.S.-brokered energy ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended the pause with accusing Russia of violating the deal with 76 strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Analysts note Kyiv resumed strikes after military constraints including U.S. restrictions on Starlink service rendered the ceasefire disadvantageous. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Zelenskyy on social media also accusing him of escalating fuel costs and lacking interest in peace negotiations.
During the operation Russian electronic warfare reportedly jammed a Ukrainian drone also diverting it into neighboring Lithuanian airspace. The incident triggered air raid alerts and fighter jet deployments in the NATO member state before Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal apology.
