A significant drone attack by Ukraine has caused multiple Russian military establishments to catch fire shortly after Vladimir Putin declined Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for direct negotiations to end the conflict. Kyiv conducted a series of strikes on various Russian targets overnight on June 6, hitting the St. Petersburg and Leningrad regions, including the Kronstadt Marine Plant and a naval ammunition depot in Lebyazhye.
In response to Zelensky’s letter mentioning his “old age,” Putin criticized his opponent for being “rude” and refused talks during his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Instead, he delivered a rallying message to his troops, urging them to focus on the ongoing conflict.
The aftermath of the Ukrainian strikes revealed extensive damage in Russia, notably at the naval ammunition depot in the Leningrad region, triggering explosions and a Category 1 alert due to hazardous materials. St. Petersburg residents were advised to stay indoors, with disruptions to mobile internet services expected.
Despite Putin’s claims of victory, Ukrainian attacks on Kronstadt, a key naval base near St. Petersburg, and other locations challenged his narrative. Reports indicated assaults on submarines at Kronstadt and the V. A. Fock Institute of Physics in Petrodvorets. Meanwhile, fires erupted at the Poltava oil depot in Ust-Labinsk, causing significant damage.
Additionally, incidents like the unconfirmed fire at an oil refinery in Tyumen aimed to exacerbate the fuel crisis in Russia, impacting supply routes to Crimea. Ukrainian actions on strategic roads like Hell’s Highway disrupted Russian transportation, leading to rerouting of planes and restrictions on civilian vehicles.
The escalating conflict also targeted key Russian facilities such as the Research Institute of Marine Thermal Engineering in St. Petersburg and the occupied Black Sea port of Mariupol. Amidst these developments, Zelensky criticized Putin’s reluctance to engage in dialogue, emphasizing the need for international pressure on Russia to end the war.