Ukrainian drones were launched into the Moscow and Leningrad regions early on Thursday, with one reportedly flying over President Putin’s residence in Valdai.
Russia intercepted one of the drones that had targeted a St Petersburg oil terminal in the early hours in one of Kyiv’s northernmost attacks of the war so far.
The attack on the Petersburg Oil Terminal was conducted by an drone carrying 3kg of high explosives, a Kremlin-appointed official in occupied Zaporizhzhia said.
A fire reportedly broke out following the attack on the terminal, which is Russia’s largest oil export facility on the Baltic Sea.
Russia’s defence ministry said anti-air defences intercepted two drones overnight, one near St Petersburg and another near Moscow.
The defence ministry did not comment on damages or casualties.
“Also, during the operation, one of the drones flew over Valdai, where the personal estates of the Rothenbergs, Kovalchuk and one of Putin's palaces are located,” a Ukrainian security source told the Kyiv Post.
Putin’s Valdai residence is in Russia’s Novgorod region, midway between St Petersburg and Moscow.
Ukraine’s defence intelligence (HUR) has claimed responsibility for the drone attack on the St Petersburg oil terminal.
A source told Ukrainska Pravda: “This is a defence intelligence operation involving modernUkrainian assets.
“Data collection continues, and there are confirmed strikes on targets.
“Now, military facilities in St Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast are within reach of Ukrainian forces.”
The source said it was not the first Ukrainian attack on the Leningrad Oblast, which borders Finland.
Ukraine’s air force said it shot down two missiles and 22 of the 33 drones launched by Russia overnight.
It comes after the UK announced £2.5bn of military aid to Ukraine over the coming year.
It is the UK's largest annual commitment since Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
