Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg as ‘Russian Davos’ opens in city

Key Points:

• Ukrainian drones targeted energy and military sites in St Petersburg early Wednesday, causing explosions and fires at oil storage facilities and the Kronstadt naval base, just hours before the city's major economic forum began.
• The strikes, including damage to a Russian guided-missile ship in dry dock, embarrassed the Kremlin as Vladimir Putin was scheduled to speak at the forum, which was overshadowed by thick smoke and airport closures.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s "long-range sanctions" campaign, highlighting the precision of strikes on key Russian infrastructure far from the border.
• The forum, intended to showcase Russia’s economic partnerships, saw attendance from controversial figures such as Andrew and Tristan Tate and former US President Donald Trump's delegation, while many Western investors have boycotted the event since the 2022 invasion.
• NATO and Ukrainian officials emphasized Russia’s increasing desperation amid Ukraine’s successful aerial campaign, with Zelenskyy calling for more US Patriot missiles following recent Russian attacks that killed dozens across Ukraine.