Russia Says 376 Ukraine Drones Downed
Russia said its air defence systems shot down 376 Ukrainian drones overnight, including several near Saint Petersburg, as the city hosted the final day of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Russia Ukraine Drone Attack
Russia’s defence ministry said the drones were intercepted across 16 areas and regions, including Saint Petersburg, Crimea and the Azov and Black seas. The Leningrad region governor said 86 drones were downed in the region, adding that combat operations were continuing.
Residents in parts of Saint Petersburg were reportedly advised to remain indoors after the large-scale drone attack targeted Russia’s second-largest city.
Saint Petersburg Economic Forum Security
The drone strikes came as the St Petersburg International Economic Forum concluded. The forum had drawn thousands of guests from more than 130 countries, making the attack a major security concern for Moscow.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones had reached the Saint Petersburg region and targeted naval facilities, while other strikes hit an oil depot in the Krasnodar region.
Russia Ukraine War Escalation
The latest drone activity reflects the growing use of long-range strikes by both Russia and Ukraine. While Moscow reported large-scale interceptions, Ukrainian officials said their operations were aimed at Russian military and energy infrastructure linked to the war.
The escalation also comes amid stalled diplomacy. Zelenskyy recently called for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Putin said there was no point in such a meeting unless groundwork for agreements was first prepared.
