Ukrainian Drones Hit St Petersburg
- 291 Ukrainian drones shot down by Russian air defenses
- Airport closure for 5 hours due to drone attack
- Woman injured by falling debris from downed drone
- Putin attends scaled-down Navy Day in St Petersburg
- Naval parade cancelled due to security concerns
Ukrainian drones targeted St Petersburg on Sunday, June 3, 2026, forcing the airport to close for five hours. Officials said the attack was repelled, with air defense units downing a total of 291 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones.
Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region surrounding St Petersburg, said that over ten drones were downed over the area, and falling debris injured a woman.
The attack occurred as Vladimir Putin marked Russia's Navy Day in the city, despite the earlier cancellation of its naval parade due to security concerns.
Sources confirmed that the airport was closed from 0840 GMT to 1340 GMT due to the drone attack.
Putin's Navy Day Celebrations
Putin attended a scaled-down Navy Day celebration in St Petersburg, where he inspected the combat readiness of the fleet.
'Today we are marking this holiday in a working setting, we are inspecting the combat readiness of the fleet,' Putin said in a video address.
Witnesses said the event was heavily guarded, with a large security presence in the area.
Government sources said the naval parade was cancelled due to security concerns, but the Navy Day celebration would go ahead as planned.
Historical Context
The drone attack on St Petersburg is the latest escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Officials said the attack was a significant escalation, with the number of drones involved being one of the largest seen in recent months.
Experts said the use of drones by Ukraine is a significant development, as it allows them to attack deep within Russian territory.
Historically, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been marked by periods of escalation and de-escalation, with both sides suffering significant losses.
Human Impact
The drone attack on St Petersburg has had a significant human impact, with one woman injured by falling debris from a downed drone.
Witnesses said the woman was taken to hospital for treatment, and her condition is currently unknown.
Sources confirmed that the airport closure caused significant disruptions to air travel, with many flights delayed or cancelled.
Officials said the attack has also caused significant economic disruption, with the airport closure and naval parade cancellation affecting local businesses.
International Reaction
The international community has condemned the drone attack on St Petersburg, with many countries calling for calm and restraint.
Experts said the attack is a significant escalation, and could have serious consequences for the region.
Government sources said the attack has caused significant concern, with many countries calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Witnesses said the attack has also caused significant concern among the local population, with many people fearful of further attacks.