Kremlin says Ukrainian attacks won’t change war aims as Kyiv hits Saint Petersburg
On Oct 18 the Kremlin said Ukrainian large-scale attacks on Russian cities would not change its war aims, as Ukraine struck Saint Petersburg in what Russian state media called the largest attack on the city since the start of the 2022 war. Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said one person was killed and five hospitalised, and that authorities fought fires at an oil terminal, an oil depot and industrial warehouses; flights were restricted at Pulkovo airport. Leningrad region governor Alexander Drozdenko said air defence shot down 144 Ukrainian drones, while Zelensky accused Moscow of violating an “energy ceasefire” announced by US leader Donald Trump 76 times.
Why it matters: The exchange bears on the Russia-Ukraine war and energy security, since the reported targets include an oil refinery and depot.