Ukrainian Drones Target Russian Port Amidst Economic Forum

Black smoke rose over St. Petersburg’s port on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, after Ukrainian drones attacked an oil terminal. This attack coincided with the city’s hosting of an international economic forum, supported by President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the drones flew over 1,000 kilometers to strike the terminal.

Following the attack, Russian authorities acknowledged the target was the city’s infrastructure but did not provide further information. Due to the incident, St. Petersburg’s airport briefly suspended its flights, and mobile internet services were disrupted. Putin is expected to speak at the forum on Friday, which is prominent for the Kremlin. However, major Western investors and officials have avoided it since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over four years ago. Saudi Arabia, a special guest this year, plans to send a large business delegation.

The attacks posed a challenge for Putin, especially after recent cuts to an annual Victory Day parade in Moscow over similar fears. The drone strikes on St. Petersburg came a day after Russia conducted drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in at least 22 civilian deaths and 138 injuries. As both sides face a stalemate on the battlefield, they increasingly resort to long-range assaults. The conflict, now in its fifth year, shows no signs of resolution.

Ukraine aims to curtail Russia’s vital oil production and disrupt weapon manufacturing. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted oil facilities in St. Petersburg and nearby areas. Zelenskyy also reported drone attacks on the Kronstadt naval base and a weapons plant in Tambov, Russia. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that air defenses intercepted 354 Ukrainian drones overnight.

In the Donetsk region, under Russian control, a Ukrainian strike hit a bus traveling from Moscow to Crimea, killing seven and injuring 11, as reported by Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-appointed head of Donetsk. In the Smolensk region, two firefighters lost their lives in a drone attack, with Governor Vasily Anokhin stating two other firefighters and a local resident were injured.

Meanwhile, Russia launched 198 long-range drones at Ukraine, as reported by Ukraine’s air force, with 189 being neutralized. In Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, a civilian died and 15 others were injured, including three children, due to Russian strikes. In the southern Kherson, Russian attacks resulted in the death of an 86-year-old woman and injuries to five others.