Ukraine conducts drone strikes on oil and military sites near St Petersburg, July 2026

Ukrainian forces launched a significant drone operation against Russian oil and military facilities near St Petersburg on July 3, 2026. This attack, approximately 900 km from Ukrainian-held territory, targeted an oil terminal and the Kronstadt naval base, aiming to disrupt Russia's war efforts.

Details of the Drone Strikes

The Leningrad region Governor, Alexander Drozdenko, reported that air defenses intercepted 72 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the operation. The strikes resulted in local disruptions, including the temporary suspension of flight operations at Pulkovo Airport.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attacks were aimed at crippling oil infrastructure that funds Russia’s military actions. The Russian defense ministry claimed to have downed more than 500 aerial targets, including 10 Flamingo missiles.

Impact on Russian Oil Infrastructure

As a result of the drone strikes, Ukraine's General Staff reported that approximately 42.74 percent of Russia’s oil refining capacity had been disabled since early July. This includes damage to eight refineries and over 60 storage tanks, leading to an estimated $13.5 billion in cumulative industry losses since August 2025.

• Key figures from the attack:
• 42.74% of oil refining capacity disabled
• 8 refineries and 60+ storage tanks hit
• $13.5 billion in losses since August 2025

Independent analysts suggest the functional disruption may be closer to one-third of Russia’s total capacity, contributing to domestic fuel shortages.

Russian Response and Further Developments

In response to the attacks, Moscow's defense ministry stated that the actions would not go unanswered, asserting that Russian forces had captured several villages in Ukraine's eastern regions. However, Zelenskyy dismissed claims regarding the capture of Kostiantynivka, asserting that Ukrainian defenses remain intact.

Amid escalating conflict, Russian forces also launched drone strikes on a gas production facility in Ukraine’s Poltava region, causing a fire and halting operations. The situation continues to evolve, with casualties reported from various attacks on both sides.