Ukraine launched a large-scale drone barrage on St. Petersburg on Saturday, the final day of a major investment forum. Governor Alexander Beglov advised residents to remain indoors during the attack. Although many drones targeted the city, authorities reported that there was no major damage.
The attack occurred a day after President Vladimir Putin gave a speech in the city, during which he refused a proposal for talks with Kyiv and rejected a call for peace talks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In response to the recent drone attacks reaching deep inside Russia, Putin stated that the country will strengthen its air defenses.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he had ordered the strikes on Russian targets, including naval and energy sites across the west of the country. Following these operations, Zelensky stated that it is time to end the war.