Ukraine has struck a major oil terminal in Russia's second-largest city, St Petersburg, in one of its deepest drone attacks since the start of the war, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Zelensky said the overnight strike targeted critical infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia's war effort. He added that Ukrainian forces also hit a key naval base in Kronstadt, home to Russia's Baltic Fleet.

Attack Targets Energy and Naval Infrastructure

St Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov confirmed the city had come under what he described as a "massive" drone attack and acknowledged that the oil terminal had been hit. He said there were no casualties.

The attack took place around 850km (528 miles) from Ukraine's border, highlighting Kyiv's growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.

Ukraine Expands Long-Range Drone Campaign

Ukraine has recently stepped up long-range drone attacks against Russia's energy infrastructure, arguing that oil and gas facilities are legitimate military targets because fossil fuel exports help finance Moscow's invasion.

Kyiv claims that nearly 43% of Russia's oil refining capacity has been disabled by its campaign, although that figure has not been independently verified.

The Ukrainian military described the St Petersburg facility as one of Russia's largest oil terminals, with the capacity to produce 12.5 million tonnes of petroleum products annually.

Video released by Zelensky showed a drone approaching its target before thick black smoke rose from the site. The BBC later verified that the oil terminal had been struck.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week acknowledged fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian attacks. On Saturday, he signed legislation intended to increase fuel supplies to Russia's domestic market.

Russia Reports Large-Scale Air Defence Response

Beglov said Russian air defences shot down 72 Ukrainian drones over St Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region. He urged residents to remain indoors until the threat had passed and warned that mobile internet services could be disrupted.

More than five million people live in St Petersburg.

Russia has not publicly commented on Ukraine's claim that the naval base in Kronstadt was also hit.

Later on Saturday, Russia's defence ministry said its forces had intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones and missiles launched overnight and during the morning. It accused Kyiv of attempting to divert attention from a major Russian strike on Kyiv earlier this week and what it described as Ukrainian setbacks around Kostyantynivka.

The ministry warned that attacks on Russian civilian facilities would "not go unanswered."

Dispute Over Kostyantynivka Continues

Separately, Ukraine rejected Russian claims that Moscow had taken full control of the eastern town of Kostyantynivka.

Ukrainian military spokesman Maj Andriy Kovalyov said the town remained under the control of Ukraine's defence forces. While acknowledging that small Russian infantry groups had infiltrated some positions, he said they were being identified and eliminated.

Putin had claimed on Friday that Russian forces established control of Kostyantynivka in June, but provided no evidence.

Zelensky dismissed the assertion, saying on Telegram that if Russia truly controlled the town, Putin should have no difficulty meeting him there to discuss ending the war. He added that the reality on the battlefield differed from the Russian leader's statements.

Kostyantynivka is one of several heavily fortified towns forming part of Ukraine's defensive "fortress belt" in the Donetsk region, much of which remains under Russian occupation.

As military operations intensified, both Moscow and Kyiv continued competing to shape the narrative ahead of next week's NATO summit in Turkey. On Saturday, Putin also sent US President Donald Trump a message marking Independence Day, expressing hope for constructive relations between Russia and the United States.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 5 July 2026

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