Massive Fire Erupts in St. Petersburg Port Following Strikes

Oil Terminal in St. Petersburg Hit by Strikes

According to Главком: A large fire broke out at an oil terminal in the Russian port of St. Petersburg after reported impacts. Preliminary information suggests that strikes also reached Kronstadt, where military vessels are docked. The monitoring channel Exilenova+ reported a series of powerful explosions in the port area, causing significant damage.

The attack targeted the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal (PNT), one of the largest petroleum product transshipment facilities in northwestern Russia. It is the biggest port operator in the Greater Port of St. Petersburg. The complex spans 37 hectares and houses over 20 storage tanks for oil products, with a total capacity of approximately 324,000 cubic meters. The terminal has an annual throughput capacity of 12.5 million tons of petroleum products, handling fuel oil, diesel, and aviation kerosene.

Previous Attacks on the PNT

This is not the first time the terminal has come under attack. On the night of January 18, 2024, a drone targeted the facility but was intercepted by air defenses, preventing a fire. Another strike occurred on June 3, 2026, coinciding with the opening day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. According to Robert Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces:

“The strike on the PNT on June 3 was the 20th successful hit on such a facility in 33 days.” - Robert Brovdi

The series of strikes spanned from May 1 to June 3. On that same day, drones also hit the missile corvette Boykiy in Kronstadt, and Pulkovo Airport delayed nearly 30 flights due to the UAV attack.

The June 3 attack on the PNT was part of a broader Ukrainian defense campaign targeting Russia's oil export infrastructure. The facility's owner described that strike as an attempt to prevent a catastrophic environmental disaster in the Baltic Sea. Notably, St. Petersburg is the hometown of Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian units have also repeatedly struck the Primorsk oil port, underscoring rising tensions in the region.

This incident highlights the growing threat to Russia's energy infrastructure amid ongoing military conflict. Attacks on oil terminals, such as this one, carry severe consequences not only for the economy but also for the ecological balance of the Baltic Sea. Given St. Petersburg's strategic and symbolic importance to Russia, such strikes could have far-reaching political and economic repercussions. The increasing frequency of assaults on oil infrastructure signals an escalation of the conflict in the region and raises risks to the stability of energy supplies.