Ukrainian drones attack St Petersburg

Russia calls move ‘unprecedented’

St Petersburg: Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on the St Petersburg region on Satur­day, prompting Russian authorities to describe it as an “unprecedented attack” as the city hosted the final day of Russia’s annual economic forum.

Leningrad region Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said more than 140 drones were shot down. He said the strikes triggered a fire at a military facility, forced evacuations and caused minor damage to buildings, and three people sustained injuries. St Peters­burg Governor Alexander Beglov urged residents to remain indoors for the first time since the war began.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones had travelled about 1,000km to strike Russian naval arsenals and a base in Kronstadt, home to the Baltic Fleet. He also claimed an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region was hit as part of Kyiv’s long-range campaign targeting Russian military infrastructure.

Calling the strikes a respon­se to continued Russian attacks, Zelenskyy said it was “time to end this war” and accused Moscow of prolonging the conflict. 

—Agencies