Ukraine retaliated against a deadly Russian drone and missile attack on its civilians by launching significant deep-strike operations targeting military and energy sites within Russia. A series of drone attacks struck a vital St. Petersburg oil terminal, the Kronstadt naval base, and a defense complex in the Tambov region. These strikes were in response to a previous assault by Russia on Ukraine that resulted in 22 fatalities and over 100 injuries, marking one of the most severe attacks by the Kremlin in recent months. The Ukrainian strikes caused fires to break out in St. Petersburg after the Petersburg Oil Terminal was hit by kamikaze drones launched from across the border.
The attack on St. Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin spent his childhood, occurred just before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an event akin to the “Russian Davos.” This strike was a blow to Putin’s image and security narrative, showcasing Ukraine’s ability to disrupt Russia’s economic prowess. The forum, a key event for Moscow, was scheduled to take place from June 3-6. The targeted site, JSC Petersburg Oil Terminal, is a major oil handling facility in northwestern Russia, further embarrassing Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the successful strikes on Russian soil, emphasizing that only military targets were hit, including the Kronstadt base. Zelensky praised the precision of the Ukrainian special operations teams and reiterated their commitment to implementing long-range sanctions to advance peace efforts. Prior to the St. Petersburg attacks, reports emerged of strikes in the Tambov Oblast, southeast of Moscow, targeting the Progress plant, known for producing military aviation and missile technology systems.
The retaliatory strikes by Ukraine come at a time when Russia is already facing pressure from repeated deep-strike attacks on its oil facilities. Putin’s reliance on oil revenues to sustain the conflict in Ukraine has strained Russia’s economy and raised discontent among the population. The prolonged conflict in Ukraine, with a high toll on Russian troops, has led to growing disillusionment with Putin’s leadership.
