St Petersburg Economic Forum Begins Under Cloud of Burning Infrastructure

(ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA) – Ukraine launched a major long range drone offensive against St Petersburg on Tuesday, striking oil infrastructure and a naval base on the opening day of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a key propaganda event for the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

The attack targeted the St Petersburg oil facility which processes 12.5 million tonnes of oil per year. Footage verified by Ukrainian unmanned systems forces showed multiple drones striking the facility, with flames rising higher than a 20 storey building. A separate wave hit the Kronstadt Naval Base near the city. The Russian corvette missile carrier Boyky was struck and set ablaze. The vessel had previously drawn attention in 2025 for escorting ships from Russia’s shadow tanker fleet through the English Channel.

Ukrainian drones flew in formation and arrived in waves over several hours, according to reports from the scene. Russian air defences appeared largely absent. Local residents filmed drones traversing the city skyline unimpeded. Footage showed a lone Russian guard with an automatic rifle attempting to shoot at the incoming drones from an embankment. He failed to hit any of them.

The St Petersburg Economic Forum opened under clouds of black smoke from burning infrastructure. Representatives from the Taliban, North Korea, Belarus and several African military dictatorships were present. Russia deployed robotic greeters at the event which reportedly malfunctioned. The robots, intended to showcase Russian technological prowess, suffered repeated failures. One robot pressured guests to download the Kremlin linked spyware application Max while repeatedly boasting about owning a Birkin handbag. Another fell over. When a guest asked one robot its name, the machine’s lips moved but no sound emerged.

Paid Western influencers were brought in to project an image of international relevance. Among those present were Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, both facing criminal charges including fraud in multiple jurisdictions. Their role was to legitimise the event as few other international figures were willing to attend alongside the Taliban and North Korean delegations.

Ukraine also struck the Progress factory in the Tambov region, located 500 kilometres from Ukrainian territory. The plant produces equipment for aircraft and rocket control systems as well as civilian electronic components and equipment for gas and oil pipelines. Multiple strikes were recorded at the facility.

Ukraine’s ongoing drone blockade of the southern corridor has triggered a catastrophic fuel crisis across Russian occupied Crimea. Petrol stations are closed or boarded up. Lines for fuel have grown to over 300 cars long at any station fortunate enough to receive a delivery. Drivers are spending day and night living in their vehicles. The occupational authorities have imposed a 20 litre limit and introduced a government coupon system restricting fuel access to those connected to the administration. Black market petrol prices have reached 300 to 500 roubles per litre, equivalent to approximately 15 US dollars per gallon.

The fuel shortage has led to the appearance of horse drawn wagon taxis in cities across the peninsula. Local villagers have begun offering rides to stranded urban residents. Tourists and locals attempting to flee Crimea reported being trapped on the peninsula. “I’m still in Crimea and we haven’t managed to get back,” one woman stated. “We’ve been monitoring it and today we drove to 15 to 20 petrol stations. There’s just no petrol. Some petrol stations are just completely shut, boarded up. Basically, the total collapse has happened. It’s an SOS situation. You can even feel the post apocalyptic vibes.”

Crimean occupation authorities announced on the night of 2 June that fuel would be distributed only to emergency services supporting city operations. Mikhail Razvozhayev, head of the occupation administration in Sevastopol, stated that the Russian dictator had “personally taken control of the situation.” Razvozhayev pleaded with residents, stating “I ask you to remember that in 12 years, we have never deceived you during difficult situations.” He added, “We have always acted straightforwardly. I have always looked you honestly in the eye.”

A prominent Russian nationalist military blogger has warned that Ukraine could eventually restore its 1991 borders and seek compensation from Russia. Writing on social media, the pro war commentator stated: “The next stage of real negotiations will be the 1991 borders. Russian society is not psychologically prepared for such an option. Therefore, the government cannot theoretically discuss such conditions.” The blogger added: “The chance to escape the war will not appear until society reaches the point of understanding the inevitability of a complete withdrawal from Ukrainian territory and comes to terms with this reality.”

Russia’s domestic crises extend beyond fuel. Pro war Russian propagandist Anastasia Kashirova reported that basic drugs and medications are no longer available across the country. “There are no vaccines for children. There are no vaccines for encephalitis, hepatitis A or chickenpox. The clinics refused to tell me when they will be available,” she stated. She added that chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients must be shipped through Kazakhstan.

As conditions deteriorate, Kremlin propagandists continue issuing nuclear threats toward Western nations. Former Putin adviser Sergey Karaganov publicly advocated for nuclear strikes against European cities, arguing some EU member states should “disappear entirely.” State television featured a segment in which a Russian figure called for nuclear strikes on Washington, chanting “onto Washington” while brandishing a mock missile. The segment referenced the Yars, Sarmat and Poseidon missile systems.

Footage of the strikes on St Petersburg and Kronstadt was released by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces. Footage of the Tambov region strike was released by Ukraine’s defence intelligence services.