Ukraine carried out one of its most significant long-range drone attacks on Russia in recent months, targeting St. Petersburg and surrounding areas on June 3, the opening day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a flagship event personally associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The attack triggered explosions, fires, air raid alerts, flight disruptions, and widespread communication problems across Russia’s second-largest city. According to Russian officials, drones struck infrastructure in Kronstadt and in St. Petersburg’s Kirovsky and Krasnoselsky districts. Governor Alexander Beglov said several people were injured and some facilities suffered damage, though he did not provide further details.
???????? Forum participants in St. Petersburg stand in shock and watch as unknown drones strikes! pic.twitter.com/UGgBYSpT8i
— MAKS 26 ???????????? (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) June 3, 2026
One of the main targets appeared to be the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, a major fuel storage and export facility located on the Gulf of Finland. Russian independent outlet Astra, after analyzing videos and photographs posted online by local residents, reported that the terminal had been hit and set ablaze. Eyewitness footage showed large flames and thick black smoke rising above the industrial site.
