Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Ukrainian drones struck a major oil terminal in the Russian city of St Petersburg overnight between Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, 2026. The attack is part of a series of recent strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy: Targeting Russia's War Revenue
Zelenskyy stated that the attack targeted "oil infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia's war." He also confirmed that Ukrainian forces successfully struck the "important military target" of Kronstadt, a key naval base near St Petersburg. The Ukrainian President described the operation as part of Ukraine's "long-range sanctions" against Russia.
Russian Confirmation and Air Defense Response
Russian officials confirmed the attack. Governor Alexander Beglov of St Petersburg reported that the city's Kirovsky district was hit, but claimed that air defense systems intercepted 72 Ukrainian drones over the city and surrounding areas. The extent of damage to the oil terminal has not been fully disclosed.
Putin Claims Capture of Kostyantynivka
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russian forces had taken control of the city of Kostyantynivka, located near the contested Donetsk region. Ukrainian authorities dispute this claim, and no independent verification has been made.
Escalation in Kyiv and Retaliatory Strikes
On July 3, a Russian attack on Kyiv killed at least 18 people and injured many more during an 11-hour barrage targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure. Moscow said the strikes were retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on its oil refineries. In this latest wave, Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 long-range drones.
US Intelligence Warns of Possible Provocation on Polish Territory
US intelligence has warned that Russia may be preparing an armed "provocation" on Polish territory to test NATO's response, raising fears of a wider European conflict. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns shared by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania regarding Moscow's plans.
"I don't mean to scare anyone but the coming months may truly be critical, also due to the changing nature of the war. These concerns are particularly palpable in the Baltic states," Tusk said during a press conference this week. "Let's not be afraid, we are preparing for various situations, but we cannot ignore them. We are aware of the threats, also thanks to information from our allies."
