Ukrainian drones strike a St. Petersburg oil terminal ahead of Putin visit

Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg and set it ablaze, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as the city hosted an annual economic forum promoted by President Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, setting it ablaze. The attack occurred as the city hosted an annual international economic forum promoted by President Vladimir Putin. The oil terminal is a significant facility, with a capacity to handle millions of tons of oil per year. This incident marks one of the most significant attacks on Russian territory since the start of the conflict.

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is driving up gas prices, with the current global price of crude oil exceeding $80 per barrel. As a result, the average cost of gasoline has increased by over 10% in the past year, affecting millions of people who rely on gasoline for daily commutes. This price increase is a direct consequence of the disruption to global oil supplies caused by the conflict. The rising gas prices will continue to impact households and businesses.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has its roots in the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, which led to international sanctions and a significant deterioration in relations between Russia and the West. Since then, the conflict has escalated, with both sides engaging in a series of attacks and counter-attacks. Insiders know that the conflict is not just about territorial control but also about access to resources, including oil and gas. The economic forum in St. Petersburg was seen as an attempt by Putin to project an image of business as usual.

The Russian government is expected to announce new measures to secure its oil infrastructure in the coming weeks. A key decision to watch for is the upcoming meeting of the OPEC+ group, scheduled for June 30, where member countries will discuss potential production cuts to stabilize the global oil market. The outcome of this meeting will have significant implications for the global economy. Notably, Ukraine has been developing its drone capabilities with the help of Western countries, which could potentially shift the balance of power in the conflict.