Ukraine Launches Major Drone Attack on Russian Oil Terminal Despite Trump’s Demand

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks this year against Russia overnight on Saturday night into Sunday morning, targeting a key oil terminal in St. Petersburg. The strike comes in direct defiance of US President Donald Trump’s demand that Ukraine cease attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, escalating tensions between Kyiv and Washington as the war with Russia continues.

Details of the Drone Attack and Damage

Russian authorities reported the drone attack hit the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, a facility capable of handling up to 12.5 million tons of oil annually. Ukraine’s Fire Point company, the drone manufacturer behind the strike, confirmed a fire broke out on the terminal’s grounds following the attack. In addition, a logistics center in St. Petersburg operated by Russian distribution company Ozon and a data center for VKontakte, a Russian social media platform, were also targeted.

The assault resulted in one fatality and five injuries, with damage extending to residential homes, according to local officials. Eyewitnesses described the attack vividly: one resident said, “They shot one down right above us: there was one bright flash, and it shook us up quite strongly.” Another recalled rushing family members and their cat to hide in a bathroom amid the chaos.

Rising Tensions Between Ukraine and the US

The strike occurred amid a worsening relationship between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump. Last week, Trump condemned Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries as a “disgrace,” citing an alleged agreement between Russia and Ukraine to halt strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv acknowledged such a truce, and Ukraine briefly paused before resuming strikes, while Russia continued its relentless attacks on Ukrainian energy targets.

Zelensky expressed concern that growing tensions with the US could jeopardize vital support for Ukraine as it heads into another harsh winter under Russian assault. He spoke to US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on Sunday, describing their communication as “nonstop” and aimed at achieving peace. Zelensky posted on X, “We are doing everything on our part to make this happen, and to ensure that America’s position is strong and helps bring peace closer.”

The Impact of Energy Strikes and US Policy

Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have been significant, with Russia’s defense ministry claiming it shot down 1,015 Ukrainian drones overnight into Sunday. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian missile and drone strikes killed 11 people and injured nearly 50 across Ukraine in the 24 hours to Sunday morning, including a major attack on energy facilities in the Odesa region.

Zelensky criticized President Trump’s recent waiver of sanctions on Russian diesel imports and exemption of Russia from key economic penalties. In an interview on “Meet the Press,” Zelensky called the waiver “more support for Russian aggression,” saying it strengthened Putin’s war effort just as Moscow was faltering on the battlefield.

He also noted that the US government limited the speed of Starlink satellite-guided drones used by Ukraine, a move the Trump administration denies ordering. Intelligence sharing was briefly blocked during ballistic missile attacks but has since resumed, with US satellite networks providing critical warnings of incoming strikes.

Zelensky’s Diplomatic Stance Toward Trump

When asked about President Trump’s remarks that Zelensky was harder to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky replied, “It was better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers, even with a smile on their face.” He expressed a desire to trust Trump and hopes the US president will change his attitude toward Putin.

Regarding whether Trump is an ally of Ukraine, Zelensky said simply, “I hope so.”

The drone attack on the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian targets, underscoring the fragile and complicated relationship between Kyiv and Washington as the war and diplomatic tensions intensify.