Ukraine continues its drone attacks on Russia’s fuel supply and is reported to have been successful in these operations. The attacks are said to have led to fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations in several areas. On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that an oil terminal in St. Petersburg had been hit.
The attack comes after Russia continued to make gains on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, where the Kremlin now claims to have taken control of the city of Kostiantynivka, an important hub for roads leading to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, among others.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in uniform before his general staff in a television segment and thanked Russian soldiers after the alleged capture, saying it is of “great strategic importance.”
Zelenskyy Denies the Claims
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that Ukraine still controls the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern part of the country.
This is also emphasized by Ukraine’s general staff, who simultaneously dismiss Russian claims that the city has been captured.
“Of course that is not true. It’s yet another Russian lie, an attempt to create some sort of news headline,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X, continuing:
“If Kostiantynivka were under Russian control, perhaps Putin wouldn’t have any problems meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war.”
Successful Drone Attacks
Recently, Ukraine’s drone attacks inside Russia have received more attention than the fighting in eastern Ukraine. The assaults are said to have been effective enough that Russian President Vladimir Putin has commented on fuel supplies.
At the same time, a series of video clips have spread on social media showing long queues at gas stations in certain parts of the country.
READ MORE: After Ukraine’s attacks: Putin admits problems in fuel supply
On Saturday, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had carried out long-range strikes against targets near St. Petersburg. According to Ukrainian sources, port and oil infrastructure were hit—facilities that, according to Kyiv, contribute to financing Russia’s war effort.
Targets in Kronstadt, described as a key military area, were also reportedly attacked. The distance from the Ukrainian border is said to be over 850 kilometers.
The governor of St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Beglov, confirms that the city was subjected to a large-scale drone attack and that the oil terminal was hit. He states that no injuries have been reported, according to BBC.
Zelenskyy commented on the operations and showed a video clip, also expressing his gratitude to the military personnel conducting the missions.
Last night, our Ukrainian long-range sanctions against Russia over this war reached targets near St. Petersburg. Ukraine's Defense Forces struck port oil infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia's war, and there were also successful strikes on Kronstadt – an important… pic.twitter.com/bMHY3cL3rM
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 4, 2026
More Attacks
Putin is said to have recently announced that large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s defense industry will continue in response to the drone attacks. This is reported by Ukrainian media.
Putin is also said to have stated that Russia plans to expand its so-called security zone in Ukraine, citing the need to protect against Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure on Russian territory.
At the same time, speculation is growing in Ukraine that Russia may expand the war beyond the four Ukrainian regions Russia has annexed in the eastern and southern parts of the country.
According to Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyy, the Russian president has reportedly given orders to plan new offensive operations with the aim of capturing Kyiv. This is reported by The Independent.