Hundreds of Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down by Russian air defenses as a major international economic forum in Saint Petersburg drew to a close. Residents of Russia’s second-largest city were advised to remain indoors following a large-scale drone attack attributed to Ukraine. Russia’s defense ministry stated on Saturday that 376 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across 16 areas and regions, including St. Petersburg, Crimea, and over the Azov and Black Seas, amid escalating attacks from both sides with no resolution in sight. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea of face-to-face talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as pointless.
Aleksandr Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region, which encompasses St. Petersburg and key Baltic ports, reported that 86 drones were downed in his area, confirming that “combat operations continue.” Zelenskyy, meanwhile, claimed that Kyiv’s drones traveled “about 1,000 kilometers to the St. Petersburg region – to the enemy navy’s arsenals and a base in Kronstadt.” He also noted that long-range strikes reached “about 500 kilometers into the Krasnodar region – and hit an oil depot.” Zelenskyy reiterated his call for an end to the war, stating, “Russia must end its war and stop its attacks on life. Any manifestation of injustice against Ukraine will receive a just response. It is time to end this war.”
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which hosted approximately 20,000 guests from over 130 countries, concluded on Saturday. The summit had previously seen Ukrainian drones strike an oil complex and naval base in the city on its opening day.
In Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported the discovery of two bodies of men who had been missing after a Russian attack. Additionally, one person was killed and three others wounded in Russian drone and artillery attacks in Dnipropetrovsk, according to regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha. Late Saturday, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that Russian forces attacked two civilian search and rescue vessels engaged in a humanitarian mission within the Ukrainian sea corridor, causing injuries. He noted that evacuation by Ukrainian navy boats was underway.
Despite a rare appeal from Zelenskyy on Thursday for direct engagement with Putin to end the war, Putin, speaking at the economic forum on Friday, reiterated that there was “no point” in such a meeting. He emphasized that it only makes sense for the Ukrainian side to halt the advance of Russian forces and that agreements are needed, suggesting experts should develop solutions before any meeting. The two sides remain far apart, with Moscow insisting on retaining territories taken from Ukraine, while Kyiv demands the return of all its territory before any deal.
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