Ukrainian drones hit fuel storage, a data center and a bridge in Russia’s second largest city, while the US and Europe face questions over who shares intelligence with Kyiv.
The St. Petersburg oil terminal attack on Sunday saw Ukrainian drones strike one of Russia’s biggest fuel export sites, according to UNN and The Kyiv Independent, as a dispute over Western intelligence sharing with Kyiv deepens. Kyiv has said it targets energy sites that fund Russia’s war effort, Al Jazeera reported earlier this year.
What the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal Attack Hit
According to The Kyiv Independent, the overnight Ukrainian drone attack began around 2:50 a.m. local time, based on Ukrainian monitoring channels. Russian state media said the oil terminal and a VKontakte data center were hit, the outlet reported. UNN said Governor Alexander Beglov acknowledged a fire at the terminal.
Leningrad Region Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said 127 drones were shot down over the region, and debris damaged four cars, The Kyiv Independent reported. Ukrainian drone maker Fire Point claimed one of its attack drones hit the terminal. Videos appeared to show a drone striking an eight lane bridge, and the Russian outlet Astra reported a damaged power substation, blackouts and low water pressure. The Kyiv Independent said it could not independently verify the targets or the extent of the damage.
Why This Russia Oil Terminal Matters
The facility sits in the city’s port and receives and ships petroleum products by river, rail and road, with reported throughput of 12.5 million tons a year, according to The Kyiv Independent. It has been hit before. UNN said Ukraine’s Security Service reported a strike on June 3, and Al Jazeera described the July 4 attack as one of the largest deep strike operations against the city.
Is This Ukraine’s Largest Attack on Russia?
None of the outlets reviewed by Tamrah News described the strike as the largest of the war. The Kyiv Independent called it large scale. Al Jazeera used similar language for the July operation. The claim remains unconfirmed.
US Intelligence Sharing With Ukraine: What Is Confirmed
CNN reported on October 11 that the Trump administration warned Kyiv and European allies it could suspend intelligence sharing if Ukraine did not stop strikes on Russian energy sites. President Trump had also announced an energy ceasefire that day, which The Kyiv Independent later described as a failure.
The suspension has not been confirmed. Ukrainska Pravda reported that President Zelensky said warnings were received but not carried out, and the European Commission saw no sign of a halt. According to a CNN report, Trump said, “We are helping them, and we are sharing intel.”
Are European Countries Sharing Intelligence With Ukraine?
French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot said two thirds of the intelligence shared with Ukraine comes from Europeans, especially France, Ukrainska Pravda reported. CNN quoted missile expert Fabian Hoffmann as saying Europe’s ability to replace US early warning data is very limited. No outlet reviewed has reported evidence that European governments supplied intelligence for this strike.
Has Russia Threatened World War III Over Intelligence Sharing?
TASS reported in July that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called European and US weapons, advisers and satellite intelligence direct participation in the war. TASS also reported in May that Dmitry Medvedev said European intelligence supports daily attacks on Russia. Tamrah News found no confirmed official statement linking intelligence sharing with this attack to World War III.
Ukraine Drone Attack Campaign Continues
The Kyiv Independent reported that Zelensky announced a resumption of energy strikes on October 15. Russia launched 332 drones at Ukraine on October 17, and Ukraine’s Air Force said 289 were downed. Readers can follow wider coverage in our Russia Ukraine war updates and energy ceasefire explainer.
FAQs
What happened in the St. Petersburg oil terminal attack?
Ukrainian drones struck the St. Petersburg oil terminal overnight on October 18, causing a fire, according to UNN and The Kyiv Independent.
Was the Ukraine drone attack the largest of the war?
No outlet reviewed has confirmed that. Coverage calls it large scale.
Did the US stop intelligence sharing with Ukraine?
Not confirmed. The US threatened a suspension, but Trump and the European Commission said sharing had not stopped.
Are European countries behind the Russia oil terminal strike?
No evidence has been reported. France says Europeans supply most intelligence shared with Ukraine.
Has Russia warned of World War III over intelligence sharing?
Russian officials have called Western intelligence support direct participation, but no confirmed World War III warning was found.
