Ukraine launched a series of long-range drone attacks on Russian energy and military facilities near St. Petersburg on Wednesday, casting a shadow over one of Russia’s most important economic gatherings and delivering an embarrassing setback to President Vladimir Putin.
The attacks occurred just hours before the opening of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, often referred to as Russia’s version of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The event is expected to attract roughly 20,000 participants from more than 130 countries and features a keynote address from Putin later this week.
According to Russian officials, drones targeted multiple locations in the city’s Kirovsky and Krasnoselsky districts. Several reportedly struck oil storage facilities, igniting large fires that sent thick black smoke rising over the city skyline. Witnesses reported hearing powerful explosions as air defense systems struggled to stop the incoming drones.
Ukraine also claimed responsibility for attacks on the nearby Kronstadt naval base and shipyard, home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet. Videos circulating online appeared to show a drone striking a Russian guided-missile corvette known as the Boikiy while it was undergoing repairs in dry dock. The vessel reportedly caught fire following the impact.
The timing of the strikes proved particularly damaging for the Kremlin. Many forum attendees arrived in St. Petersburg amid visible smoke from the fires, while temporary airport closures disrupted travel plans for some visitors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the operation, describing it as part of Ukraine’s strategy of imposing “long-range sanctions” on Russia. In a social media post, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had successfully struck important military and energy infrastructure, including a major oil terminal located approximately 680 miles from Ukraine’s border.
“I thank our warriors for their precision,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer.”
Speaking later in Kyiv alongside Mark Rutte, Zelenskyy said the strikes were a direct response to recent Russian attacks on Ukraine. The previous day, Russian missile and drone strikes reportedly killed 23 people across Ukraine and injured dozens more.
Rutte said Russia’s continued aggression had forced Ukraine to adapt and innovate. He argued that Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory demonstrated its increasing military capabilities despite ongoing pressure from Moscow.
Over the past year, Ukraine has expanded its long-range drone campaign, targeting Russian oil depots, military factories, ports, airbases, and transportation routes. Ukrainian officials say the strategy is designed to weaken Russia’s military logistics and economic infrastructure far from the battlefield.
The St. Petersburg forum was once a showcase for attracting Western investors and business leaders. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however, many Western companies and political figures have largely stayed away.
This year’s guest list includes former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, media personality Candace Owens, actor Steven Seagal, and brothers Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate. The Tate brothers continue to face criminal charges in Romania and separate legal proceedings in the United Kingdom, allegations they deny.
The forum also includes delegations from countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Russian officials have emphasized growing partnerships with what they call “sovereign countries” of the Global South as Moscow seeks to offset its isolation from much of the West.
Despite the economic focus of the event, Wednesday’s attacks served as a reminder that the war in Ukraine continues to reach deep into Russian territory. As both sides escalate long-range strikes, the conflict is increasingly affecting regions far from the front lines, including some of Russia’s most politically and economically significant cities.
