“Russia has an air defense system. Yes, we need to improve it. Yes, we need to strengthen it. And we will do that,” Putin said during a meeting with foreign journalists in St. Petersburg.
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On Wednesday morning, Ukrainian drones struck energy and military facilities in St. Petersburg, where a major economic forum began on June 3.
The annual three-day St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, once dubbed the “Russian Davos,” is expected to host about 20,000 guests from 130 countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy then announced that Ukrainian drones had struck the St. Petersburg oil terminal and the Kronstadt naval base in the city. This was the latest in a series of retaliatory attacks that Kyiv calls “long-range sanctions.”
“Ukraine’s long-range sanctions plan is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy said on social media, posting a video showing a burning oil depot.
The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces reported that a Russian warship was damaged at the Kronstadt naval base and shared black-and-white drone footage that he claimed captured the attack.
Due to these attacks, St. Petersburg’s main airport had to be closed for several hours overnight.
Ukrainian officials said the attack aimed to disrupt the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, where Kremlin leader V. Putin will participate and deliver a speech on Friday.
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