By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Ukrainian drones struck energy and military facilities in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday, June 18, 2026, as Russia opened the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The attack targeted the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Kronstadt naval base, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes aimed to disrupt Russia’s flagship economic gathering attended by about 20,000 delegates from 130 countries. Russian authorities reported infrastructure damage but no fatalities.
Ukrainian Drones Target Strategic Sites in Saint Petersburg
Ukraine launched drone attacks on key facilities in Saint Petersburg hours before SPIEF began.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones hit the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Kronstadt military base. He described the operation as part of Ukraine’s strategy of imposing “long-range sanctions” on Russia.
“Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer,” Zelensky said while sharing footage of a burning oil facility.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s drone forces commander claimed that a Russian warship was struck at the Kronstadt naval base. He also released video footage that allegedly showed the attack.
Flights Delayed as Forum Opens
The drone strikes disrupted transportation in the region.
Several flights from Moscow to Saint Petersburg experienced delays, according to reports from Sheremetyevo Airport.
An AFP reporter also observed smoke rising near the forum venue as delegates arrived for the opening sessions.
Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed that several infrastructure facilities sustained damage. However, he said the attack caused no deaths.
SPIEF Reflects Russia’s Changing Global Relationships
The Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum was once a major platform for attracting Western investors.
Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, world leaders regularly attended the event. Past participants included French President Emmanuel Macron, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
However, Western participation has declined sharply since the war began.
This year, Russia welcomed leaders from friendly nations, including the presidents of Uzbekistan and Tanzania. Ministers from Cuba, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia also attended.
Kremlin Defends Forum Against Critics
Russia’s economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, defended the event and its international relevance.
He described SPIEF as a gathering of “sovereign countries” and criticized global forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Kremlin continues to promote SPIEF as a key venue for international business despite Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Ukraine Says Strike Was Intended to Disrupt Forum
Ukrainian officials openly linked the operation to the economic summit.
Sergiy Sternenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister, said the forum opened with “a nice plume of black smoke” following the strikes.
The Kremlin promised a response to the attacks.
The drone operation came one day after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone assault across Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said that attack killed at least 23 people.
Fighting Continues on Multiple Fronts
While the forum opened in Saint Petersburg, fighting continued across Ukraine.
Local authorities reported that separate Russian strikes killed four people in frontline regions.
At the same time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian leaders.
The latest developments highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict as both sides continue military operations far beyond the front lines.
