Ukrainian forces intensified their attacks on Russian territory over the weekend, targeting St Petersburg with a series of drone and missile strikes aimed at key military and infrastructure sites. The offensive marks an escalation in Ukraine’s strategy to increase the political and economic costs of the conflict for Russia by striking deep into its heartland.
On Saturday, the city, Russia’s second largest and former imperial capital, experienced what Governor Alexander Beglov described as a “large-scale” drone attack, focusing on an oil depot and military facilities. No casualties were reported at the oil site. The assault followed a previous strike on St Petersburg during a major economic forum just over a month ago. Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the surrounding Leningrad region, stated that Russian air defenses intercepted 72 drones during the latest attack. Ukrainian officials claimed their forces targeted port facilities and the Kronstadt naval yard as part of the offensive.
The attacks have both symbolic and strategic significance. St Petersburg holds personal importance for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who once lived there and whose family home is located in the city. Experts see the strikes as a deliberate move by Kyiv to undermine Russia’s sense of security and to demonstrate the vulnerability of even the most prestigious Russian cities.
“The ability to strike so close to Putin’s heart, in a city with such historical and psychological importance, signals that Ukraine’s evolving military capabilities and strategic vision are proving effective,” said Melanie Garson, an associate professor in international security at University College London. She added that the attacks could influence both ordinary Russians and Russia’s elite, raising doubts about the government’s ability to protect the country and questions about the long-term trajectory of the war.
Marc DeVore, a senior lecturer in international relations at the University of St Andrews, noted that St Petersburg and Moscow together constitute the vital political core of the Russian regime. He emphasized the city’s economic relevance, highlighting that around half of Russia’s oil exports by ship depart from St Petersburg’s ports.
The timing of the strikes coincides with a surge in Russian drone and missile barrages against Kyiv, underscoring the continued intensity of the conflict as world leaders prepare for an upcoming NATO summit in Turkey that is expected to focus on resolving the war. Over the weekend, former U.S. President Donald Trump held separate talks with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump’s conversation with Putin lasted nearly 90 minutes, during which he expressed a willingness to work toward a swift end to hostilities, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Following his call with Trump, Zelensky expressed optimism about the prospects for peace and anticipated further discussions in the coming days.
Observers suggest that Trump’s engagement with both leaders may be informed by shifting dynamics on the battlefield. Garson remarked that Putin may have used the call to mitigate damage and leverage personal politics to discourage Trump from siding with Ukraine, as Trump is known to support parties he perceives as likely to succeed. Given Ukraine’s recent operational advances, Zelensky appears increasingly positioned as a potential winner in the conflict, potentially influencing international support and diplomacy ahead of the NATO summit.