Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russia as tensions with U.S. rise

Explainer

Ukraine struck an oil export terminal in St. Petersburg with drones on Sunday, killing one person and wounding five others. The attack was part of a larger aerial bombardment where Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia. Local Governor Alexander Beglov said the assault sparked fires at the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city's Ruchi oil depot. Companies confirmed a logistics centre for retailer Ozon and a data centre for tech firm VK were also targeted.

Russia's defence ministry said its forces destroyed 1,015 Ukrainian drones over 15 of its regions, Crimea and the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Tass news agency that Kyiv was "resisting" Moscow's invasion but could not "change the current course of events." In a separate attack, Russian strikes on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed a woman and wounded at least two others, including a six-year-old girl. Local officials said the attack damaged two apartment buildings, 18 cars and an educational institution.

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How has Zelenskyy responded to recent U.S. actions?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the U.S. for waiving planned sanctions against Russia, arguing it strengthens Vladimir Putin's war effort. He spoke after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday citing U.S. national interests. "People want to forget what's going on. But we can't give this possibility to forget, or to change reality, or to change the truth," Zelenskyy said on NBC's Meet the Press. He added that U.S.-Ukraine intelligence sharing had resumed after being paused.

Zelenskyy said he trusted Trump but warned that siding with Moscow would be a historic mistake. "We can't compare me and Putin. He's [the] aggressor. He occupied us. He killed adults and children, his soldiers. He's a terrorist. And that's why I hope that President Trump will be very clear with this position," he said. In a social media post, Zelenskyy said Russia had attacked Ukraine's energy sector 76 times in the week since Trump announced an energy ceasefire. He accused Russia of trying to cause a blackout after overnight strikes on facilities in four regions left tens of thousands without power.

What is the status of the so-called energy ceasefire?

Trump announced on Oct. 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire," but provided no details. Ukraine reported that Russian attacks on its energy sites continued after the announcement. Kyiv confirmed last Thursday it had resumed its own strikes on Russian oil targets after a three-day pause. The Ukrainian government had initially said it was observing the truce.

Zelenskyy argued Russia has shown no goodwill. "America should see that Russia is not taking any reciprocal steps in response to sanctions relief or agreements," he wrote. "On the contrary, they take every signal of an opportunity to make money as proof that their bet on war is paying off and they can keep fighting." He stressed the war persists because of Russia's invasion, not Ukraine's self-defence. "It is Russia that must face pressure for peace to have a chance," Zelenskyy wrote.

What did Trump say about future sanctions?

Trump told reporters on Saturday that his decision on further sanctions against Russia remains unclear, despite his recent executive order. "We'll figure it out, and you'll figure it out. But it's a very good decision, and it's going to be a decision that's good for the country, and I think good for the world," Trump said at a fundraising dinner in Florida. He had waived the planned restrictions, citing U.S. national interest. Separately, a Ukrainian drone strayed into Lithuanian airspace on Sunday, damaging a car. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi apologized, suggesting Russian electronic warfare may have diverted the drone during an operation against military targets in Russia. Lithuanian authorities issued an air raid warning for two northern counties, but no injuries were reported.

With files from CityNews, CBC News and Washington Examiner