Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on Wednesday (June 3) that Ukrainian long-range drones attacked an oil pier in St. Petersburg, triggering a fire. At the time, the Russian city was hosting its annual international economic forum, a significant event that enhances President Putin’s prestige.
Zelensky revealed on social media that the drones flew over 1000 kilometers (600 miles) before hitting the oil pier in St. Petersburg. Following the attack, thick black smoke billowed from the city’s port. St. Petersburg is Russia’s second-largest city and the birthplace of Putin.
Russian authorities only mentioned that Ukrainian drones targeted the city’s infrastructure without providing further details. As a result of the attack, St. Petersburg Airport temporarily suspended flight operations at night, and authorities even briefly cut off local mobile network services.
With the presence of numerous drones greatly limiting the mobility of both sides’ forces on the battlefield, the Russian-Ukrainian frontline conflict has reached a stalemate. In this context, the warring parties are relying increasingly on remote drone strikes to try to gain an advantage.
The war, which began with Russia’s invasion of neighboring countries, has now entered its fifth year without a clear end date.
Concerning the Ukrainian drone attacks, Putin scaled back the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow. However, shortly after the parade, the latest round of drone strikes launched by Ukraine embarrassed Putin.
On Friday, Putin planned to deliver a speech at the economic forum in St. Petersburg, an event that the Kremlin sees as a prestigious platform to showcase the country’s reputation. For decades, this forum has been Russia’s primary platform for attracting foreign investment, sometimes likened to “Russia’s Davos” held in Switzerland.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine over four years ago, major Western investors and officials have been wary of attending the economic forum. Saudi Arabia is the guest country invited this year and is expected to send a large commercial delegation.
The day before the drone attack, Russian forces launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, causing at least 22 civilian deaths and injuring 138 people.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov stated on Wednesday that Russia’s deep strikes exhibit “systemic” characteristics.
Ukraine currently faces a shortage of American-made “Patriot” anti-aircraft missiles, partly due to the depletion of U.S. missile stocks during support for the conflict with Iran. This makes Ukraine’s air defense forces especially vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks.
On Wednesday, Zelensky expressed his dissatisfaction with government officials. He pointed out that despite reaching a consensus “at the highest political level” regarding the procurement of the “Patriot” air defense system, the implementation has been delayed due to financial, legal, and technical considerations.
Zelensky stated on social media, “This wait has gone on for too long.” He sternly ordered officials to overcome procurement obstacles, warning of “serious consequences” for those responsible otherwise.
On Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian officials, focusing on Ukraine’s air defense needs.
Meanwhile, Ukraine initiated a new operation of remote drone strikes aimed at weakening Russia’s oil production capacity, as oil is a crucial source of funding for the Moscow regime, while also disrupting Russia’s weapon production. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted oil facilities in and around the ports of St. Petersburg.
According to Zelensky, in last night’s drone attack, Ukrainian forces also hit the old Polarnav Marine Base of the Russian Baltic Fleet and a weapons manufacturing factory in Tambov Oblast, Russia (600 km from Ukraine).
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense systems shot down 354 Ukrainian drones yesterday evening.
At the same time, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 198 long-range drones towards Ukraine last night, with 189 of them successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defense systems.