Story perspectives

Ukrainian Drones Strike St Petersburg, Russia Loses 450K Troops

7/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ukrainian drones hit St. Petersburg oil terminal and Baltic Fleet base Saturday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said strike is part of a 40-day campaign to cut fuel revenue.
Analysts estimate Russia lost about 450,000 soldiers.
Former energy deputy minister Vladimir Milov warned that Russia recruits fewer troops than it loses each month.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ending war at NATO summit July 7-8.

History

Historical Context

During the 1991 Gulf War, coalition air raids destroyed more than 600 Iraqi oil wells, drastically reducing Iraq’s oil output. The recent Ukrainian drone strike on St. Petersburg’s oil terminal mirrors that tactic, leading analysts such as former deputy minister Vladimir Milov to warn that sustained attacks could deepen Russia’s fuel-revenue vulnerability.

1 of 2

Story summary

Ukrainian drones hit St. Petersburg oil terminal and Baltic Fleet base Saturday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said strike is part of a 40-day campaign to cut fuel revenue.
Analysts estimate Russia lost about 450,000 soldiers.
Former energy deputy minister Vladimir Milov warned that Russia recruits fewer troops than it loses each month.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ending war at NATO summit July 7-8.

1 / 2