Ukraine Strikes St. Petersburg Oil Terminal
Flames engulfed the St. Petersburg oil terminal overnight following the attack. Photo: X
Ukraine launched an overnight drone strike on a major oil terminal in Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, targeting what Kyiv described as critical energy infrastructure supporting Moscow's war effort.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack was intended to weaken Russia’s wartime economy. Ukraine’s military also claimed it struck a key base of Russia’s Baltic Fleet in Kronstadt, near St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov acknowledged that the city came under a large-scale drone attack and confirmed that the oil terminal was damaged. However, he said there were no casualties. He also claimed Russian air defenses shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones.
Ukraine says its long-range strikes have disabled nearly 43% of Russia’s oil refining capacity, although the claim has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, Kyiv rejected Russia’s claim that its forces had captured the eastern Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka, insisting the town remains under Ukrainian control.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones and missiles overnight. The ministry also warned that attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure ‘will not go unanswered.’
Analysts say both sides appear to be seeking a stronger strategic position ahead of next week's NATO summit.
Source: BBC (Adapted)
