Ukraine drones hit St. Petersburg area; Russia calls attack unprecedented

Saturday, June 6, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

Russia said Ukraine launched an "unprecedented" drone assault on and around St. Petersburg on Saturday as the city wrapped Putin's flagship economic forum. Leningrad region governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said more than 140 drones were shot down over the region; city governor Alexander Beglov urged residents indoors for the first time since the 2022 full-scale invasion.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones flew about 1,000 km to hit Russian navy arsenals and a base at Kronstadt, and that an oil depot in Krasnodar was also struck. Russia's defense ministry later said air defenses intercepted 339 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions since early Saturday; the strikes followed Putin's Friday refusal to meet Zelenskyy for direct talks.

What's confirmed

BBC/regional governors: 140+ drones downed over Leningrad region; Beglov issued stay-indoors guidance (BBC).
Zelenskyy/BBC: Ukraine claimed hits on Kronstadt naval arsenals/base and a Krasnodar oil depot (~1,000 km range) (BBC).
AP/Russian MoD: Air defenses said to have shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones; Beglov reported three minor injuries (AP).
Context: Attack came a day after Putin said there was "no point" meeting Zelenskyy at the St. Petersburg forum (AP/BBC).

What's still developing

Independent confirmation of damage at Kronstadt and Krasnodar facilities.
Whether Saturday's barrage shifts any U.S. or European mediation calendar.
Casualty and infrastructure tallies beyond Russian "insignificant damage" claims.

Sources

BBC News — Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg in attack Russia calls 'unprecedented' link
AP News — Ukraine targets St. Petersburg as Putin rejects Zelenskyy offer link
France 24 — Ukraine launches fresh drone attack on St. Petersburg region on final day of 'Russian Davos' link
CNN — Ukraine targets St. Petersburg in what Russia calls an 'unprecedented' attack link