Kremlin says Ukrainian attacks will not change war aims as Kyiv strikes Saint Petersburg

The Kremlin maintained on Sunday that Ukrainian large-scale attacks on Russian cities would not alter its war objectives, as Kyiv targeted Saint Petersburg with the most significant drone assault on Vladimir Putin's hometown since 2022, setting an oil refinery ablaze. Smoke was visible from Saint Petersburg's historic city center along the Neva River, with Russia claiming Ukraine struck an oil refinery and depot during nighttime strikes that resulted in one fatality.

The attack occurred amid Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Moscow of violating an energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump 76 times while warning Russia planned a blackout in Ukraine ahead of winter. Kyiv struck Saint Petersburg as its ties with Washington deteriorated due to Trump waiving sanctions on Russia and reaching a deal with Moscow on diesel.

Ukraine and its European allies were concerned that the White House was aligning with Moscow, which initiated Europe's deadliest war since WWII in 2022. Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov reported one person killed and five hospitalized in the city, with fires being battled at the oil terminal, Ruchyi oil depot, and industrial warehouses.

Flights were restricted at Pulkovo airport, and 12 housing blocks were damaged. Russia's VKontakte social network stated its data center was hit in the city, and Ozon, Russia's second-largest retailer, reported a hit on its logistics center. The head of the Leningrad region, Alexander Drozdenko, stated that air defense shot down 144 Ukrainian drones, which Russia deemed the largest assault on the city since the 2022 war began.

Ukraine has targeted Moscow and Saint Petersburg throughout the Kremlin's ongoing offensive, but large-scale hits on Russia's primary cities are uncommon. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Kyiv regime is fighting but that it cannot alter the war's trajectory. Russia's offensive against Ukraine has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions, with Moscow continuing to bombard Ukrainian cities daily.

Zelensky asserted that Russia must face pressure for peace to have a chance as Ukraine grapples with nationwide fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes earlier in the year.