Ukraine targets St. Petersburg after Putin refuses talks

Article content

Ukraine launched a drone barrage at St. Petersburg on Saturday, the final day of a major investment forum, hours after President Vladimir Putin spoke there and refused a proposal for talks with Kyiv.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

• Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
• Unlimited online access to National Post.
• National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
• Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

• Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
• Unlimited online access to National Post.
• National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
• Support local journalism.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
• Enjoy additional articles per month
• Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

or

Article content

The strikes on the city and the surrounding region set a defence ministry facility ablaze and disrupted operations at Russia's second-largest commercial airport for several hours.

Article content

Article content

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Russian air defense shot down 144 drones over the Leningrad region, Governor Alexander Drozdenko said in post on Telegram, describing it as an unprecedented assault. A fire broke out at a defense ministry site in the Lomonosovsky district, prompting a partial evacuation of nearby residents.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Kronstadt, the naval base on Kotlin Island, west of the city, was briefly closed to traffic, the district administration said.

Article content

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed strikes on St. Petersburg region and said they were targeting the Russian navy's arsenals as well as Kronstadt. An oil depot in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia was also struck, Zelenskyy said on social media.

Article content

Explosions were recorded at Kronstadt naval base, a hub for the basing, repair and support of Russia's Baltic Fleet, Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement on Facebook. The Petergofskaya oil depot and Neste oil terminal in the city of Lomonosov in the Leningrad region were hit, as well as a logistics support center in Bolshaya Izhora.

Article content

Russian authorities reported that the area affected by a fire at the Ust-Labinsk oil depot in Krasnodar region, is about 5,000 square meters (54,000 sq feet).

Article content

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Leningrad region is a key commodities export hub in northwestern Russia that has been repeatedly targeted by Ukraine this year, including attacks that damaged energy export terminals. No damage to ports or export infrastructure was reported from Saturday's attack so far.

Article content

Article content

Speaking Friday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin rejected Zelenskyy's call to meet and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, now well into its fifth year.

Article content

"I see no sense" in holding a meeting with Zelenskyy, Putin said.

Article content

The forum, the Kremlin's premier economic and investment event, was overshadowed earlier in the week when Ukrainian long-range drones struck a St. Petersburg oil terminal — the latest barrage deep into Russia territory. The Kronstadt base was also targeted at that time.

Article content

Russia, meanwhile, kept up its own attacks on Ukraine. At least 12 civilians were killed and over 70 injured across the nation over the past day, regional authorities said on Saturday.

Article content

Six people were killed in the Donetsk region, Governor Vadym Filashkin said in post on Telegram. Another six people were killed and 27 others were injured in Kherson region, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

Article content

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.

Article content