Ukrainian drones struck energy and military facilities in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday, coinciding with the opening of Russia’s flagship economic forum and highlighting the continued reach of the conflict beyond frontline areas.
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According to Russian officials, several infrastructure sites were damaged in the attack, though no fatalities were reported. Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said emergency services responded to the incidents and were assessing the extent of the damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes targeted the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Kronstadt military base. He described the operation as part of Ukraine’s strategy of conducting long-range attacks against facilities linked to Russia’s military and economic capabilities.
Drones attack St. Petersburg’s oil terminal two hours before the opening of the International Economic Forum and Putin’s speech. One of the largest maritime terminals in the Baltic Sea is on fire pic.twitter.com/yKxjkbFiaK
— DDF NEWS (@ddfmarketing1) June 3, 2026
The drone strikes occurred as thousands of delegates arrived for the annual Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, one of Russia’s most prominent international business gatherings. Organisers expect around 20,000 participants from more than 130 countries to attend the three-day event.
The attack temporarily disrupted operations at Saint Petersburg’s main airport, which was closed for several hours overnight before services gradually resumed. Aviation restrictions were imposed as authorities responded to the security situation.
Ukrainian officials said the operation was intended to demonstrate that key Russian economic and strategic assets remain vulnerable despite extensive air defence measures. Images shared on social media appeared to show smoke rising from an industrial facility following the strikes.
The latest developments come a day after Russian missile and drone attacks reportedly killed dozens of people across Ukraine, underscoring the continuing cycle of retaliatory strikes between the two countries.
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The war, now in its fifth year, has increasingly expanded beyond traditional battlefields, with both sides using drones and long-range weapons to target military, industrial and energy infrastructure deep inside enemy territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the forum later this week, where economic cooperation, investment and global trade challenges are among the key topics on the agenda.