Ukrainian drones ignited fires at a St. Petersburg oil terminal on Tuesday, just before the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed responsibility for the strike on the energy site. Local emergency services confirmed multiple blazes near the city center.
Drone hits strike St. Petersburg energy grid
Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, igniting fires at the facility. The AP reported[3] that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed responsibility for the attack. Local emergency services confirmed multiple blazes near the city center as smoke rose from storage tanks. The assault occurred just ahead of Russia's major economic forum. NBC News noted[2] this timing places the incident directly before the scheduled gathering.
Regional governor Alexander Beglov stated authorities are working to restore power supplies and assess damage. Residents were urged to stay indoors for the first time since the war began. The BBC reported[1] these safety instructions followed the drone attacks. No deaths were reported during the incident, though crews evacuated workers from one affected facility. Officials described the scale of the drone strike on St. Petersburg as unprecedented. Russian officials called it[1] a significant escalation in the conflict zone.
The specific origin of the drones remains unconfirmed by independent sources. Independent observers have not verified the total number of projectiles fired during the raid. Temporary power outages affected surrounding districts while emergency teams fought the flames. The fires at the storage tank farm were extinguished by dawn. Specialized teams continue to clear debris from the industrial zone. Reports indicate[1] St. Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city.
Forum security tightens after attacks
Russian federal security forces increased patrols around the venue hosting the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum following Tuesday's drone strikes. State media reports[2] cite internal ministry directives ordering heightened vigilance across the region.
The forum attracts global investors and senior officials, making it a high-profile target for disruption. Reports indicate[1] several foreign delegations have received updated safety briefings regarding travel to the city.
This incident follows a series of similar drone operations targeting Russian logistics hubs in recent weeks. UN reports note that recent months have seen some of the most extensive aerial attacks of the war.
Ukrainian officials have not claimed responsibility for the latest strike, while Moscow blames Kyiv without providing public evidence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy[3] previously claimed responsibility for a separate strike on an oil terminal in the same city.
Analysts note that repeated strikes on energy infrastructure could impact regional output during the critical forum week.
Residents face power risks as talks begin
Households in western St. Petersburg face potential rolling blackouts if repairs to damaged transformers take longer than expected. Families in the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts are currently operating on backup generators or reduced voltage, according to local utility warnings. Consumers must prepare for intermittent service over the next 48 hours as crews work through the night.
The fires at the storage tank farm were extinguished by dawn, but debris remains cleared by specialized teams near the city center. The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is scheduled to proceed as planned starting Wednesday, with security checkpoints already active at all entry points.
