Ukrainian drone strikes overshadow Putin’s economic forum in St. Petersburg
8 reported
A Ukrainian drone strike set an oil terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg, casting a black cloud over the opening of President Vladimir Putin’s annual economic showcase, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The attack, which also targeted the Kronstadt naval base, highlighted Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russia, including the heavily protected city where Putin was born. Scores of flights were delayed or diverted at St. Petersburg’s airport, and authorities cut cellphone internet service to prevent further drone attacks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian forces are pressing inside Ukraine to prevent such attacks, noting that systematic strikes on Kyiv are underway. Russia had hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles on Tuesday, killing 23 and wounding 151. The forum, often styled as Russia’s version of the World Economic Forum, usually draws tens of thousands of delegates, though Western officials have largely stayed away since 2022. Saudi Arabia sent a large delegation as a special guest, and a U.S. official, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., head of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, is attending for the first time in years.
What’s reported
A Ukrainian drone strike set an oil terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg, creating a massive black cloud over the city’s skyline.
The attack also targeted the Kronstadt naval base on an island in the Gulf of Finland.
Scores of flights were delayed or diverted at St. Petersburg’s airport, and authorities cut cellphone internet service.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian forces are pressing inside Ukraine to prevent such attacks and that systematic strikes on Kyiv are underway.
On Tuesday, Russia hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, killing 23 and wounding 151.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is Putin’s annual showcase of Russia’s economic achievements.
Saudi Arabia is a special guest this year and sent a large delegation; the presidents of Uzbekistan and Tanzania and China’s vice president are also attending.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., head of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, will attend the forum for the first time in years.
Key figures
President Vladimir Putin
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., head of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
Sources: abcnews.com
