This drone attack coincided with the start of the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum – the annual conference of business leaders and government officials organized by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Residents of St. Petersburg shared photos and videos capturing loud explosions and a massive fire. The photos show black smoke rising above the St. Petersburg oil terminal.
The oil terminal, located in the Gulf of Finland in the greater St. Petersburg port, is one of Russia’s largest fuel storage and export facilities. It receives and transports petroleum products by river, rail, and road, with an annual throughput of 12.5 million tons.
Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that 30 drones were launched over the region on Wednesday but did not comment on fires at the port.
The extent of the damage to the St. Petersburg oil terminal is currently unknown. Earlier, in January 2024, a Ukrainian drone caused a fire at this facility.
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A new attack on the St. Petersburg oil terminal occurred the day after Russia launched a devastating massive missile and drone strike on Kyiv, Dnipro, and other Ukrainian cities. At least 23 people were killed in this large-scale attack, including two children, and more than 100 were injured.
On the night leading into Wednesday, Russia reported that its air defense intercepted 354 Ukrainian drones in several regions, including territories bordering Ukraine and the annexed Crimea.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the drones were shot down over Belgorod, Kursk, and other western regions, as well as near Moscow and over the Sea of Azov.
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