Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Oil Terminal in St. Petersburg

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Ukrainian long-range drones targeted an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia, setting it ablaze. This attack coincided with an international economic forum in the city, an event highlighted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media that the drones traveled over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to reach their target.

Following the attack, black smoke was seen rising from the port area. Russian officials confirmed the strike on the city’s infrastructure but did not disclose further details. The attack temporarily halted flights at St. Petersburg’s airport, and mobile internet services were also interrupted.

The economic forum, viewed as prestigious by the Kremlin, faced diminished Western participation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over four years ago. Despite this, Saudi Arabia attended as a special guest, sending a substantial business delegation.

These drone strikes have caused embarrassment for President Putin, especially after recent reductions to Moscow’s annual Victory Day parade due to similar concerns. A day before the St. Petersburg attack, Russian forces executed a large-scale drone and missile offensive on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in 22 civilian deaths and 138 injuries.

The ongoing conflict, now in its fifth year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sees little movement on the battlefield but increasing long-range strikes as both sides seek strategic advantages. Ukraine’s drone attacks focus on reducing Russia’s oil output, a critical revenue stream for Moscow, and disrupting military production. St. Petersburg’s oil facilities and adjacent ports have been frequent targets.

The Ukrainian drones also struck the Kronstadt naval base, a historic location for Russia’s Baltic Fleet, and a weapons manufacturing plant in Russia’s Tambov region, 600 kilometers (370 miles) from Ukraine. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that air defenses intercepted 354 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Elsewhere, a Ukrainian strike in Donetsk hit a bus from Moscow to Crimea. This strike resulted in seven deaths and 11 injuries, as per Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-appointed head of Donetsk. In the Smolensk region, two firefighters died due to a drone attack, with additional injuries reported.

Meanwhile, Russia launched 198 long-range drones towards Ukraine last night. Ukrainian air defenses managed to neutralize 189 of these drones. Authorities in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region noted civilian casualties with one death and 15 injuries, including three children. In southern Kherson, a Ukrainian woman, aged 86, died from Russian shelling and drone strikes, while five others sustained injuries.