The latest
Ukraine delivered a highly timed embarrassment to Russia, striking targets near St. Petersburg just hours before the city opened its flagship international economic forum.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the operation, saying Ukrainian forces hit an oil terminal and a central naval base near St. Petersburg, as well as a weapons plant in the Tambov region, about 600 kilometers from the front line.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” program was working as intended, framing the strikes deep inside Russia as part of Kyiv’s effort to bring the war closer to an end.
Details
• The attacks hit facilities roughly 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
• The targets included an oil terminal near St. Petersburg and a naval base in the city’s vicinity.
• A separate strike hit a weapons production plant in the Tambov region.
• A drone attack also caused temporary flight disruptions at a nearby airport.
• The timing was pointed: St. Petersburg was preparing to open its annual economic forum, which the Kremlin uses to project political and economic resilience.
• This year’s forum includes an official U.S. delegation for the first time since 2017 or 2018, according to the Kremlin.
• The Ukrainian strikes came about 24 hours after Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on several Ukrainian cities.
What to watch
The strikes show Ukraine is pushing the war deeper into Russian territory, not only along the front line.
The message is blunt: Russia cannot stage a smooth global economic showcase while its war continues.
