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Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg as ‘Russian Davos’ opens in city
TL;DR
Ukrainian drones targeted energy and military sites in St Petersburg just hours before an international economic forum, causing significant damage and embarrassment to the Kremlin. The strikes occurred near the venue where Putin is set to speak, disrupting arrivals for the event.
Key points
- Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in St Petersburg
- Russian air defenses failed to intercept the drones
- The strikes occurred before an international economic forum
- Putin is scheduled to speak at the forum
- About 20,000 visitors from 130 countries are expected
Mentioned in this story
St PetersburgKronstadt naval baseVladimir PutinGerhard SchröderCandace OwensTate brothers
Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in St Petersburg early on Wednesday hours before international guests gathered for the city’s flagship economic forum, in a blow to Vladimir Putin.
Several long-range drones crashed into oil storage facilities after Russian air defences tried unsuccessfully to shoot them down. There were loud explosions and black smoke rose high above the city from the blazing oil terminal.
St Petersburg’s governor, Alexander Beglov, said the Kirovsky and Krasnoselsky districts were targeted. Ukraine also struck the Kronstadt naval base and shipyard in Leningrad oblast, the port home to Russia’s Baltic fleet. Vessels were reportedly damaged.
The strikes will be deeply embarrassing for the Kremlin, taking place about 10 miles from the forum, where Putin is due to make a keynote speech on Friday. Guests arrived for Wednesday’s opening ceremony under a pall of thick smoke. Others were unable to fly in after St Petersburg’s airport was temporarily closed.
About 20,000 visitors from 130 countries are expected to attend the three-day annual summit, which has been described as Russia’s answer to Davos. They include the former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the far-right American influencer Candace Owens and the Tate brothers.
The strikes hit sites about 10 miles from the forum. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump has sent an official US delegation led by Rodney Mims Cook Jr. Cook is overseeing the president’s controversial White House ballroom extension and is chair of the US Commission of Fine Arts. Another guest is the former Hollywood actor and Putin supporter Steven Seagal.
Writing on social media, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike was the latest example of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions”. He said drones had hit “important facilities on Russian territory” including the Petersburg oil terminal, the Kronstadt base and a factory producing weapons in the Tambov region.
Zelenskyy noted that the oil trans-shipment facility, one of the largest on Russia’s Baltic sea coast, was about 1,100km (680 miles) from Ukraine’s state border. “I thank our warriors for their precision. Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer,” he said.
Q&A
What locations in St Petersburg were hit by Ukrainian drones?
Ukrainian drones struck oil storage facilities and the Kronstadt naval base in St Petersburg, targeting the Kirovsky and Krasnoselsky districts.
How did the Russian air defenses respond to the drone attacks?
Russian air defenses attempted to shoot down the drones but were unsuccessful, resulting in explosions and damage to military sites.
What is the significance of the timing of the drone strikes?
The drone strikes occurred just before the opening of a major economic forum in St Petersburg, where Putin is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech, causing embarrassment for the Kremlin.
Who are some notable attendees at the St Petersburg economic forum?
Notable attendees include former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, American influencer Candace Owens, and the Tate brothers.
