Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg in attack Russia calls 'unprecedented'

Ukraine launches attack on St Petersburg. Russian authorities have reported an unprecedented drone strike on the city, which is hosting the country's annual economic forum. The attack, involving over 140 drones, has been described as a significant escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The drones were shot down over the surrounding Leningrad region, according to governor Aleksandr Drozdenko, while the city's governor, Alexander Beglov, urged residents to remain indoors for the first time since the war began more than four years ago. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has claimed that his forces have hit Russia's arsenals and a naval base in the St Petersburg region, as well as an oil depot in the southern Krasnodar region.

The attack comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin told the economic forum that there was no point in meeting with Zelensky, who had called for direct talks to end the war. Zelensky has stated that his country's drones had covered a distance of 1,000km to reach the St Petersburg region, targeting "the enemy navy's arsenals and a base in Kronstadt". The Ukrainian president has also accused Putin of wanting to "keep fighting", and has called for a ceasefire and face-to-face negotiations to end the conflict.

The commander of one of the Ukrainian units involved in the drone strikes, Yevhen Karas, has told the BBC that it was very easy to hit targets inside Russia. "We fly in Russia like it's our own territory. Almost no resistance, not hard to reach a target," Karas said. This statement has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Russia's air defenses and the ability of Ukrainian forces to launch long-range strikes.

The economic forum, which is designed to attract foreign investment into Russia, has drawn thousands of guests from 130 countries, including a low-key US delegation. The forum has been seen as an opportunity for Putin to promote Russia's economic interests and to demonstrate the country's resilience in the face of international sanctions. However, the drone strikes have disrupted the event and have highlighted the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The war between Ukraine and Russia began in 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor. Since then, the conflict has resulted in significant human suffering and economic damage. The international community has imposed sanctions on Russia, and there have been efforts to mediate a ceasefire and to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In recent weeks, Ukraine's drone forces have been hitting occupied parts of Ukraine, with officials saying they are targeting Russian logistics. An analyst has told the BBC that more than 200 lorries and over 30 fuel trucks have been hit since the beginning of May. This has raised concerns about the ability of Russian forces to maintain their supply lines and to continue their military operations in Ukraine.

The development of Ukraine's defense sector has been a significant factor in the country's ability to resist the Russian invasion. In the four years since the war began, Ukraine has developed its military capabilities, including its drone forces. The country has also received significant support from the international community, including military aid and economic assistance.

The implications of the drone strikes on St Petersburg are significant. The attack has demonstrated the ability of Ukrainian forces to launch long-range strikes and to target key Russian military installations. It has also highlighted the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the need for a peaceful resolution to the war. The international community will be watching the situation closely, and there will be efforts to promote a ceasefire and to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, the Moscow-installed authorities have suspended coach services on two motorways following a campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian logistics. They have urged local residents not to use them "for security reasons". The Russia-backed administration has also banned commuter train services and transportation of groups of children within Luhansk. Putin has said that Russia is in full control of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic". However, the drone strikes have raised concerns about the ability of Russian forces to maintain control over the region.

The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate. The international community will be watching the situation closely, and there will be efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the war. The development of Ukraine's defense sector, including its drone forces, has been a significant factor in the country's ability to resist the Russian invasion. However, the conflict has resulted in significant human suffering and economic damage, and there is a need for a peaceful resolution to the war.