Ukraine launched a large drone attack across Russia on Oct. 18, setting oil facilities on fire in St. Petersburg, where officials reported one person was killed and five were injured, while Moscow claimed it shot down more than 1,000 drones.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said fires broke out at the city's oil terminal, the Ruchi oil depot, and industrial warehouses in the Kolpinsky district. He also reported damage to residential buildings and houses. Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses stopped 1,015 Ukrainian drones over 15 Russian regions, Crimea, and the Black Sea.
That number is Moscow's claim and has not been independently verified. The attack disrupted operations at Pulkovo Airport. Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said about 20,000 people lost electricity.
Russian companies Ozon and VK said their logistics hub and data center were also affected. VK reported that its services remained available. The strikes came amid renewed tension over attacks on energy infrastructure and an energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 11.
The terms of that ceasefire were not publicly detailed. Trump criticized Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow had continued striking Ukraine's energy sites.