Ukrainian drones targeted an oil refinery in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, early Saturday morning. This attack seems to be a part of Ukraine’s strategy to increase long-range assaults as they aim to push Vladimir Putin toward negotiations.
A video released on Telegram captured a drone navigating over the city, followed by a significant explosion around 6:30 a.m. local time.
According to Russian officials, dozens of drones were deployed in the area.
The flames grew more intense, billowing thick black smoke into the sky. The port area is home to the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, one of the largest fuel storage and export facilities in Russia, which produces roughly 250,000 barrels of oil products daily.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the targeted operation, stating on Saturday that “Ukraine’s Armed Forces attacked the oil infrastructure of a port that generates Russia’s war revenues.”
Ukraine also launched an attack on the main base of the Russian Baltic Fleet in Kronstadt, which is deemed an “important military target” by President Zelensky.
He asserted, “Russia has lost the Black Sea,” in another message on X. “The Ukrainian Navy has accomplished what many thought was impossible.”
This operation is part of a broader “pressure campaign” that President Zelensky sanctioned last month, utilizing Ukrainian military intelligence to conduct long-range drone strikes deep within Russian territory, all aimed at forcing a cessation to the prolonged conflict.
Public sentiment in Russia appears to be shifting, with increasing criticism directed at Putin as citizens grapple with fuel shortages, rising inflation, and military losses.
Vladimir Milov, a former Kremlin deputy energy minister now in exile, remarked, “This is a crisis. What we’re witnessing is a rapid increase in public discontent, and we’re in trouble.”
The war is at a pivotal moment, as Russian advances have slowed recently, leading experts to suggest that Ukraine might be nearing a critical juncture.
The Ukrainian strike followed a Russian attack in Kiev two days earlier that resulted in at least 31 fatalities and over 100 injuries. It marked one of the deadliest assaults on the capital since the war commenced in 2022.
In a related development, President Zelensky noted that he had spoken with President Trump on Saturday, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, and they agreed to meet in person next week in Turkey during the NATO summit from July 7 to 8.
“We discussed the situation on the front lines and diplomatic efforts,” Zelensky shared on social media.
“There is a realistic prospect of ending this war, and the resolve of the United States is crucial. We agreed to continue our discussions during the NATO summit in Ankara.”
