Ukrainian Drones Strike St. Petersburg as ‘Putin’s Davos’ Opens
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Ukrainian long-range drones struck critical energy and military infrastructure in St. Petersburg, Russia. The highly coordinated attack occurred just hours before the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF)—often dubbed "Putin's Davos" or the "Russian Davos"—inflicting a major symbolic and economic embarrassment on the Kremlin.
The drones flew over 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) from the Ukrainian border, bypassing Russian air defenses to strike the Petersburg Oil Terminal, one of Russia's largest oil trans-shipment facilities on the Baltic Sea coast. Plumes of thick black smoke rose over President Vladimir Putin's hometown, welcoming international guests.
Additionally, Ukrainian forces targeted the nearby Kronstadt naval base and shipyard, home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet. Video footage captured a drone striking a Russian guided-missile corvette, the Boikiy, which caught fire while in dry dock undergoing repairs. The strikes also disrupted regional aviation, forcing the temporary closure of St. Petersburg’s airport and preventing some delegates from arriving on time.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the strikes as "long-range sanctions" and a "fair" response to a massive Russian missile barrage the previous day that killed 23 people across Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported the action, noting that Russia's desperation is growing as Ukraine continues to innovate.
The attack cast a shadow over SPIEF, which the Kremlin uses to project economic resilience and court foreign investment. This year's forum featured delegates from 130 countries, including the presidents of Uzbekistan and Tanzania, alongside controversial Western figures such as former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, far-right influencer Candace Owens, and a U.S. delegation sent by Donald Trump, led by Rodney Mims Cook Jr.
Verbatim Quotes
- "Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in St Petersburg early on Wednesday, hours before international guests gathered for the city’s flagship economic forum, in a blow to Vladimir Putin." — The Guardian
- "I thank our warriors for their precision. Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer." — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, quoted in The Guardian
- "Russia’s recklessness is not new. But as Ukraine continues to stand strong, to innovate and to make battlefield gains, Russia is increasingly desperate." — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, quoted in The Guardian