As the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, often dubbed ‘Putin’s Davos,’ commenced, Ukraine launched a significant drone attack targeting various regions in Russia, including St Petersburg. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that over 350 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across multiple regions, with around 60 specifically over the Leningrad region.

Impact on St Petersburg

Governor Aleksandr Beglov confirmed that three districts in St Petersburg were targeted, resulting in injuries and damage to infrastructure. The attack coincided with the opening of the economic forum, causing disruptions, including restricted airspace around the city’s international airport and delays in flights.

Wider Strikes Across Russia

In addition to St Petersburg, Ukraine’s strikes extended to other critical areas. In Smolensk, near the Belarus border, two firefighters lost their lives while responding to a fire caused by drone debris. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the strikes aimed at key targets, including the St Petersburg oil terminal and military installations at the Kronstadt base.

Zelensky emphasized that these long-range strikes are part of Ukraine’s strategy to expedite peace by targeting Russian military capabilities. The attacks also followed a recent Russian offensive on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Dnipro, which resulted in significant casualties.

International Reactions

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ongoing violence, highlighting the extensive use of drones and missiles in recent attacks. As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.