Ukraine strikes oil terminal near St Petersburg; Russia claims drone intercepts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Saturday that Ukrainian forces targeted an oil terminal in and around St Petersburg, approximately 850 kilometres from Ukraine's border. The extent of damage remains unclear, but a video released by Zelensky shows a drone approaching a target, followed by a large column of black smoke. The BBC has verified that the St Petersburg oil terminal was hit.

Ukraine's military described the terminal as one of the largest in Russia, capable of producing 12.5 million tonnes of petroleum products annually. The military also reported a strike on a key naval base of Russia's Baltic Fleet in Kronstadt.

Russian authorities have not publicly commented on the claims. However, Leningrad region Governor Alexander Beglov stated that 72 Ukrainian drones were shot down over St Petersburg and the wider Leningrad region. He advised residents to stay indoors until the drone threat subsides and warned of possible mobile internet disruptions. St Petersburg has a population of over five million.

In a separate development, Ukraine's military denied that the eastern town of Kostyantynivka is under full Russian control. Major Andriy Kovalyov, a military spokesman, told the BBC that 'Kostyantynivka remains under the control of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.' He acknowledged 'cases of infiltration by small infantry groups deep into the combat formations of our forces' but said those groups were being identified and neutralised.

Kovalyov's statement contradicted a claim made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said on Friday that Russian forces had established control over Kostyantynivka in June. Putin provided no evidence for his assertion.

Zelensky responded on Telegram, noting: 'If Kostyantynivka is now under Russian control, then Putin will probably have no problem meeting me there and finding diplomatic solutions to finally end the war. But still, he will not cross the front line: the truth is very different from Putin's words.'

Kostyantynivka is one of several heavily fortified towns forming Ukraine's defensive 'fortress belt' in the Donetsk region, most of which is occupied by Russian forces.