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Ukraine drones hit St Petersburg gas terminal in Russia

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An explosion at a significant gas export terminal near St Petersburg in Russia has reportedly been orchestrated by Ukrainian drones, as informed by sources to BBC News. The incident, which caused a large fire at the Ust-Luga terminal, resulted in no injuries according to Russian officials. Ukrainian sources from Kyiv claim that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a “special operation” using targeted drones. Both Russia and Ukraine have utilized drones in the ongoing conflict.

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia began nearly two years ago, with limited progress reported in recent months. The explosion near St Petersburg occurred at the Ust-Luga terminal of gas producer Novatek, prompting a “high alert regime” in the region. Novatek suspended operations at the terminal, attributing the fire to “external influence” without providing specific details.

According to Ukrainian sources, the fuel processed at the attacked plant supplied Russian troops in the ongoing conflict, and this strike is said to significantly complicate military logistics. The attack is also characterized as an economic blow to Russia, a major fuel exporter from the terminal.

Reports from Russia’s Fontanka.ru include video footage of tankers near the fire, revealing that two drones were observed heading towards St Petersburg before altering their course towards the Ust-Luga port. Witnesses reported feeling the ground shake with explosions, and about 150 staff were evacuated from the terminal.

The Russian defence ministry stated it shot down three Ukrainian drones in the Smolensk Region near the Ukrainian border on Saturday night, following earlier reports of downed drones in Tula and Oryol in western Russia. No casualties were reported.

Additionally, on the same day, a shelling incident in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine resulted in at least 25 deaths and 20 injuries at a busy market. Russia and Ukraine have been targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, with a recent fire at an oil depot in Bryansk, southwest Russia, blamed on a Ukrainian drone strike. This follows an attack on a major oil loading terminal in St Petersburg and Russia’s claim of capturing a village near Bakhmut, which Kyiv has not confirmed. Ukraine, facing ammunition shortages, has expressed intentions to domestically produce a million drones this year.

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Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by biggest drone attack since war began

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Kyiv experienced its most significant drone attack since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to the city’s mayor. The assault, consisting of over 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones, targeted the capital from the north and east. Despite the city’s air defenses successfully intercepting 74 drones, explosions and the sound of air defenses echoed through Kyiv for more than six hours. The Shahed drones, viewed as a cost-effective alternative to Russia’s diminishing missile stocks, are slower but distinctive due to their wingspan.

The attack caused damage to buildings, including a kindergarten, and left at least five people injured, including an 11-year-old child. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the strikes as an intentional act of terror, vowing to continue uniting the world against Russian aggression. The assault coincided with Ukraine’s commemoration of the 1932-1933 Holodomor famine, adding symbolic weight to the event.

The possibility of Russia targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a tactic used in the past, materialized as 16,000 homes in central Kyiv lost power. While Moscow’s previous attempts to deprive Ukrainians of essential resources failed, causing authorities to rapidly repair damaged infrastructure, the impact of such strikes remains significant. Despite ongoing improvements in Ukraine’s air defenses, attacks like these continue to cause destruction, instill fear, and disrupt the lives of its residents.

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Three individuals die in Belgorod following drone attacks on Moscow

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Following a drone attack on the Belgorod region of Russia, three people have lost their lives. This incident occurred shortly after another drone struck central Moscow. Russian authorities have attributed the attack on Belgorod to Kyiv and Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov implicated Ukrainian forces, alleging that they deployed an explosive device via a drone while people were present on the streets. However, Kyiv has not taken responsibility for either of the incidents, which is in line with its usual practice of refraining from commenting on attacks within Russia.

In response to the initial drone strike in Belgorod that resulted in three fatalities, the Russian Defence Ministry reported the destruction of a second drone in the region. Drones were also noted in Moscow, with one hitting a building under construction, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. The Russian defence ministry stated that air defenses successfully downed two drones in the Mozhaisk and Khimki districts of the Moscow region, with no reported casualties.

In the wake of the drone attack in the capital, all flights to and from Moscow’s airports were temporarily suspended on Wednesday, although they were later resumed. This suspension marked a recurrent response to a series of recent drone attacks targeting the capital. Notably, this event represented the sixth consecutive night of aerial assaults on the Moscow region.

The drone responsible for striking the under-construction building in the Moscow city complex was reportedly neutralized by electronic warfare systems. Subsequently, it lost control and collided with the building, leading to damage. Emergency services were dispatched to assess the situation and address the damages caused.

The US State Department responded to reports of the downed drones, asserting that the US does not endorse drone attacks in Russia. American officials emphasized that it is Ukraine’s prerogative to determine its defense strategy and urged Russia to conclude the conflict by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine. Incidences of alleged drone strikes inside Russian territory have grown increasingly frequent in recent months.

The Russian defence ministry indicated that it had intercepted two drones over the Moscow region on Tuesday, and two additional drones were reportedly thwarted over the Bryansk region near the Ukrainian border. Furthermore, Russian authorities claimed that a Ukrainian reconnaissance boat in the Black Sea was destroyed by a Russian warplane after approaching Russian gas production facilities. Although Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the drone incursions on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously characterized attacks on Russian territory as an “inevitable, natural, and entirely justifiable process.”

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Repeat Drone Strike Targets Moscow Skyscraper Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

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Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has reported a second drone attack on a skyscraper in the city’s Moskva City complex within two days. Multiple drones were shot down during the overnight incident, but one managed to hit the same tower that was targeted on Sunday. The attack caused damage to the building’s glass facade, but fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

Russia’s defense ministry has attributed the latest attack to Ukraine, although Kyiv has not made any official comments on the matter. The tensions have escalated further, as Russia also claimed that three Ukrainian unmanned boats were destroyed while attempting to attack Russian naval ships in the Black Sea.

The IQ-Quarter Tower 1 building suffered over 150 sq m of destroyed glazing during the drone attack. Additionally, two more Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down by anti-aircraft systems in other parts of the Moscow region, with Russia’s defense ministry claiming to have thwarted a “terrorist attack” from Ukraine.

This incident adds to the growing accusations by Moscow, alleging that Ukraine has been conducting drone strikes on Russian territory in recent months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not claimed responsibility for specific attacks but has expressed that such actions on Russian territory are seen as an “inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process.”

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the wake of these recent incidents, there have been casualties and damages on both sides, further escalating the tensions in the region.

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Prigozhin: Wagner Shifts Focus to Africa and Belarus, Pauses Fighter Recruitment

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Head of Wagner Mercenary Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced in an audio message released by a Wagner-linked Telegram account that the group will continue its operations in Africa and Belarus but is currently not actively recruiting new fighters. Prigozhin stated that the majority of Wagner fighters are currently on leave due to a period of intense work. The group is in the process of determining its future objectives, which will be undertaken for the benefit of Russia.

While the group remains operational in Africa and maintains training centers in Belarus, Prigozhin did not provide specific details. Wagner is known for its presence in various African regions and its involvement in training Belarusian territorial defense forces. However, he emphasized that they do not plan to recruit new personnel at present. Nonetheless, if the country requires a new group to safeguard its interests, Wagner will initiate recruitment.

Prigozhin also mentioned that some fighters from the group have opted to transfer to other Russian power structures, a move that the group does not restrict. In June, Wagner fighters participated in a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military leadership, and in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, President Vladimir Putin invited non-participating Wagner fighters to sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry.

In recent developments, on Monday morning, four people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, following Russian missile strikes. A drone attack was also reported in Russia’s border region of Bryansk, with a police station being hit. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin accused Ukraine of the drone attack on the Russian capital, resulting in damage to two office blocks. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that war was returning to Russia, and attacks on Russian territory were a natural consequence of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

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