Early on Wednesday, Ukrainian drones struck energy and military sites in St. Petersburg, just hours before international guests arrived for the city’s flagship economic forum. The attack was a blow to Vladimir Putin. Several long-range drones crashed into oil storage facilities after Russian air defenses failed to shoot them down. Loud explosions were heard, and thick 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 hit the Kronstadt naval base and shipyard in Leningrad Oblast, which is home to Russia’s Baltic fleet. Reports indicate that some vessels were damaged.
The strikes are deeply embarrassing for the Kremlin, happening just about 10 miles from the forum, where Putin is set to give a keynote speech on Friday. Guests arriving for Wednesday’s opening ceremony did so under a cloud of thick smoke. Others couldn’t fly in because St. Petersburg’s airport was temporarily closed.
Around 20,000 visitors from 130 countries are expected to attend the three-day annual summit, often described as Russia’s answer to Davos. Among them are former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, far-right American influencer Candace Owens, and the Tate brothers.
Donald Trump has sent an official US delegation led by Rodney Mims Cook Jr., who is overseeing the president’s controversial White House ballroom extension and chairs the US Commission of Fine Arts. Another guest is former Hollywood actor and Putin supporter Steven Seagal.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media that the strike was the latest example of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions.” He said drones hit “important facilities on Russian territory,” including the Petersburg oil terminal, the Kronstadt base, and a weapons factory in the Tambov region.
Zelenskyy noted that the oil trans-shipment facility, one of the largest on Russia’s Baltic coast, is about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) from Ukraine’s 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.
Ukrainian officials shared footage of the attacks, showing drones buzzing loudly over St. Petersburg’s skyline. “The Petersburg forum is opening with a nice plume of black smoke in the background after Ukrainian strikes,” posted Serhiy Sternenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister.
On Tuesday, a barrage of Russian missiles and drones killed 23 people across Ukraine and injured many more. This prompted Zelenskyy to renew his plea—made in a letter to the White House last week—for the US to provide Kyiv with more Patriot interceptor missiles.
In recent months, Ukraine has waged an increasingly successful aerial campaign to disrupt Russia’s economy. Long-range drones have hit ports, oil storage facilities, military factories, and airbases. They have also blown up tankers and trucks on a key road connecting occupied southern Ukraine with Crimea, causing fuel shortages across the peninsula.
In the past, Russia used the St. Petersburg forum to court Western investors. Since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most have stayed away. The Kremlin has instead invited close regional and other allies, including this year the presidents of Uzbekistan and Tanzania, along with ministers from Cuba, Belarus, and Saudi Arabia.
Moscow’s economy envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, described the forum as a gathering of “sovereign countries.” He criticized “globalist” rivals who attended the annual Davos meeting in Switzerland in January. “The countries of the global south are actively moving toward part…”He said, “We will have a strong partnership with Russia and will be well represented.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding the Ukrainian drone strike on St Petersburg during the Russian Davos event
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What exactly happened in St Petersburg
A Drones launched by Ukraine struck targets in St Petersburg Russia while the city was hosting a major economic forum often called the Russian Davos This was a significant escalation because St Petersburg is far from the front lines
Q What is the Russian Davos
A Its the unofficial name for the St Petersburg International Economic Forum Its a big annual event where Russian leaders global businesspeople and politicians meet to discuss the economy and sign deals similar to the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland
Q Why is this strike a big deal
A Because St Petersburg is Russias secondlargest city and a symbol of national pride Hitting it during a highprofile event shows Ukraine can reach deep into Russian territory which is a major psychological and strategic blow
Q Did anyone get hurt
A Russian officials reported that air defenses shot down the drones and there were no major casualties or damage to the forum venue itself However it caused significant disruption and panic
Q Why did Ukraine target this event specifically
A To send a message By attacking during the Russian Davos Ukraine aimed to embarrass the Kremlin disrupt the image of business as usual and show that no place in Russia is safe from the war
IntermediateLevel Questions
Q What kind of drones were used in the attack
A Reports suggest Ukraine used longrange jetpowered drones These are designed to fly hundreds of kilometers making them capable of reaching St Petersburg from Ukrainiancontrolled territory
Q How did the drones get past Russian air defenses
A This is a key question Its likely the drones flew at low altitudes to avoid radar used preplanned routes over lessdefended areas or exploited gaps in Russias air defense coverage which is stretched thin across the vast country
Q What was the specific target of the drones
