Massive attack on St Petersburg and the region: drones hit the port, power station, bridge and the VK data centre

Drones began flying into the Leningrad Region around 2 a.m. The strikes intensified toward dawn, according to the OSINT channel Exilenova+.

What is known about the attack on St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region?

Both the sounds of drones and explosions were heard in the region. At the same time, enemy air defense systems were actively engaged – the Russians attempted to launch missiles at the drones. Specifically, “Pantsir” and S-300/S-400 systems were in operation.

Air defense operations in the Leningrad region: watch the video

Despite the occupiers’ attempts to shoot them down, the drones still reached St. Petersburg. A drone alert was issued in the city, though belatedly.

In addition, the sounds of explosions were heard in nearly every district. Specifically, they were heard in the Pushkinsky, Primorsky, Nevsky, Vyborgsky, Krasnogvardeisky, and Central districts.

“It felt like thunder that made the floor shake,” 
– St. Petersburg residents told Russian media.

Drone attack and sounds of explosions in St. Petersburg: watch the video

What are the consequences of the strike?

It is already known that drones attacked the port, specifically the oil terminal. A massive fire broke out there.

It’s worth noting that this is Russia’s largest oil products transshipment terminal on the Baltic Sea. Its throughput capacity is 10–12 million metric tons per year.

Watch the video of the attack on the port in St. Petersburg

The VK ( formerly “Vkontakte”) data center was also targeted. Following the attack, users reported widespread disruptions to digital services, cloud platforms, and infrastructure across the entire network.

The company’s press office confirmed the attack but insists that everything is operating without disruption. This data center is located in the village of Novosergievka, on the administrative border with St. Petersburg.

Attack on the VK data center: watch the video

Next to the data center is the 300-kilowatt “Vostochnaya” (“Eastern”) substation. As a result, parts of the city and region experienced power outages or complete blackouts, and traffic lights stopped working.

Blackout on the outskirts of St. Petersburg after the substation was hit: watch the video

There are also reports of a strike on the cable-stayed bridge across the Korabelny Fairway in St. Petersburg. This bridge is part of the Western High-Speed Diameter (ZHD) – a toll highway connecting the southern and northern parts of the city. The 620-meter-long bridge connects Beliy and Vasilyevsky Islands and has eight lanes, according to Dnipro Osint.

Drone Hits Cable-Stayed Bridge in St. Petersburg: Watch the Video

In addition, restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures were imposed at Pulkovo. Airport staff also quickly moved passengers and employees to shelters.

Evacuation of Pulkovo staff and passengers: watch the video

How are local authorities commenting on the attack?

Russian officials are, as usual, claiming that civilian targets were allegedly attacked and that the air defense system performed flawlessly.

In particular, Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenco claims that as of 5:22 a.m., the Russian military had reportedly shot down 126 drones and that combat operations are ongoing.

However, as a result of these actions, debris fell on a private home in the Kirovsk district and on an apartment building in Vsevolozhsk. Emergency services are on the scene. Furthermore, brief power outages have been reported due to debris falling on power lines.

In addition, in Nizino, debris damaged four cars in a parking lot, causing them to catch fire.

St. Petersburg Mayor Alexander Beglov, for his part, reported fires at “civilian infrastructure facilities” in the Nevsky, Krasnosilsky, and Chervonogvardeisky districts, as well as on the grounds of the “St. Petersburg Oil Terminal.” Mobile internet service disruptions are also possible. According to him, there were no casualties.

According to Russian media reports, at least 180 drones were flying toward St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

St. Petersburg after a massive drone attack: watch the video

It should be noted that the last such incident Drones attacked St. Petersburg occurred in late July. At that time, Wildberries warehouses were targeted.