Ukraine Defies Trump and Launches Major Drone Attack on Russia
Goldlaner.com – Ukraine defies Trump and launches one of its largest drone operations of the year, striking targets deep inside Russia as tensions grow between Kyiv and the Trump administration over attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
The overnight operation targeted the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, a major facility with annual handling capacity of up to 12.5 million tons. Fire Point, the Ukrainian company that produces drones used in the operation, said a fire broke out on the terminal grounds after the strike.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted 1,015 Ukrainian drones across several regions during the attack. Russian officials also reported a strike on a logistics facility in St. Petersburg, while Russian distribution business Ozon said one of the targeted sites was a logistics center.
Local authorities said one person was killed and five others were injured. Residential buildings were also damaged during the attacks.
Dispute over Russian energy targets
Ukraine defies Trump and launches the operation after the US president publicly criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, calling them a “disgrace” the previous week. Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure, though neither government publicly confirmed such an agreement.
Kyiv briefly paused operations against Russian energy assets before resuming them. Russia, meanwhile, continued striking Ukrainian cities and energy facilities, leaving Ukraine’s power and fuel systems vulnerable as another winter of war approaches.
The White House has sought to reduce pressure on oil and diesel prices ahead of important midterm elections. That focus has increased scrutiny of attacks that could affect Russian oil production, refining capacity and export logistics.
Trump waived sanctions on Russian diesel imports and on Friday used a waiver exempting Russia from broad economic penalties required by Congress. The move drew criticism, including from some Republican voices.
Russian strikes continue across Ukraine
The drone campaign followed another deadly day of Russian missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian authorities said 11 people were killed and nearly 50 were injured nationwide during the 24 hours ending Sunday morning.
Odesa region was among the areas hit in what officials described as a large-scale assault on energy infrastructure. Kyiv argues that ending Ukrainian operations against Russian energy sites would leave Moscow free to continue targeting Ukrainian civilian and industrial systems.
“Since the American President announced the energy ceasefire a week ago, Russia has deliberately attacked Ukraine’s energy and oil and gas sectors 76 times,” Zelensky wrote on X Sunday.
“America should see that Russia is not taking any reciprocal steps in response to sanctions relief or agreements,” Zelensky said.
For Ukraine, long-range drone missions are a way to impose costs far beyond the front line. They can threaten fuel storage, refinery operations and transport networks despite Russia’s major advantage in missiles, aircraft and conventional firepower.
The strike in St. Petersburg also highlights the reach Ukraine has developed with domestically produced systems. Because the city is far from the main battlefield, attacks there carry both symbolic and operational significance when they reach critical infrastructure.
Starlink restrictions add to Ukraine’s concerns
Ukraine defies Trump and launches its broader drone campaign while President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised separate concerns about restrictions on Starlink. He said the limits affect Ukraine’s ability to operate some drones and counter Russian aerial threats.
Zelensky said short-range and battlefield drones can lose their connection after reaching a maximum speed of 161 kilometers per hour. He also said restrictions affect defensive operations against jet-powered Shahed drones and have affected Starshield within Ukrainian territory.
“The maximum speed today is 161 kilometers per hour. After that, based on what I’ve seen and heard in the reports, Starlink shuts down, and we lose the drone,” he said Saturday.
FAQ
What was targeted in the drone attack?
The operation struck the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal and a logistics facility in St. Petersburg, according to Ukrainian and Russian accounts.
Why are attacks on energy facilities disputed?
Ukraine says Russia has continued attacking its energy infrastructure. The Trump administration has expressed concern that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil-related targets could affect energy markets and complicate efforts to reduce oil and diesel prices.
What did Russia report after the attack?
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted 1,015 Ukrainian drones. Local authorities also reported casualties, injuries and damage to residential buildings.