Russian air defence systems intercepted 25 drones over the Leningrad region on Saturday, according to local authorities, as Russia hosted the economic forum.
In an update, Leningrad region Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said air defence units were continuing operations in Russia’s second-largest city, which is currently hosting the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), one of the country’s most important annual business and investment events. Twenty-five UAVs have been shot down over Leningrad region. Combat operations are continuing,” he wrote on Telegram.
The development comes just days after Ukrainian drones struck an oil complex and a military base in St Petersburg on Wednesday ahead of the opening of the event.
Subsequently, intensified drone activities were reported across the capital city as well. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defence units intercepted nine Ukrainian drones that were heading towards the city on Saturday.
Earlier, on Thursday Senate passed a legistlation that would aid Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leaders who warned the bill would undermine negotiations designed to achieve a comparable but stronger result.
Oleksandr Prokudin, writing on Telegram, said a strike on a district of the region’s main city, also called Kherson, killed three people in their 70s and 80s whose bodies were found in damaged homes.
While an attack on a petrol station north of the city killed one person and injured seven. Besides, an evening drone strike killed a man in a village, also north of Kherson, he added.
Meanwhile, Putin turned down an offer for in-person talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he sees no point in such a meeting for now. The remarks came a day after Zelenskyy shared an open letter appealing for a face-to-face in an attempt to end the war.
According to Putin, the letter sounded rude and dint ssem important to him.
“This letter contains some rather rude remarks. Was it a way to create the conditions for a face-to-face meeting or a way not to set up a face-to-face meeting? I think it was the second,” he said.
Responding to the rejection, Ukraine President Zelensky said that Putin’s rejection of his proposal showcased Kremlins thoughts on ending war.
Attacks have escalated between the two countries lately. Both the nations to their full strength have deployed drones to attack crucial sites.