On Saturday, St. Petersburg faced a significant attack from long-range Ukrainian drones as the International Economic Forum concluded. Governor Alexander Drosdenko reported that air defense forces intercepted 141 drones, marking an “unprecedented attack.” Residents were advised to stay indoors, and nearby Kronstadt, home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet, was reportedly set ablaze. Around 600 people evacuated their homes, and Pulkovo Airport suspended flights.
This drone strike is part of a larger wave of Ukrainian attacks targeting several regions across Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky termed the assault a “legitimate response” to the ongoing war, emphasizing that Ukraine’s actions are yielding results. Despite acknowledging some economic damage from the attacks, President Vladimir Putin rejected Zelensky’s proposal for direct negotiations, stating that talks would be “meaningless.”
Zelensky is set to meet with leaders in London to discuss further assistance for Ukraine, while NATO has initiated operations to bolster defenses in Sweden and Finland, both of which have joined the alliance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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