Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks this year on Russia overnight on Saturday, hitting a key oil terminal in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s demand it stop hitting Russian energy infrastructure.
There have been growing tensions between Ukraine and the US in recent days, prompting fears in Kyiv it could lose essential support as it approaches another winter under relentless Russian attack.
Trump on Friday invoked a waiver exempting Russia from sweeping economic penalties mandated by the US Congress. President Volodymyr Zelensky later told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” the US siding with Russia would be a “historic mistake.”
Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that he doesn’t want to do anything that will drive Russia away from negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, adding that he believes “great progress is being made.”
At the same time, he excoriated Zelensky, saying that he “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”
“I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table,” Trump wrote.
Despite this, the Ukrainian president said he spoke to US envoy, Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on Sunday as part of “nonstop communication” to work towards to goal of peace.
“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,” Zelensky posted on X.
But Ukraine is keeping up long-range strikes into Russia. Russia’s defense ministry said it shot down 1,015 Ukrainian drones overnight into Sunday over various parts of the country.
One target was the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, according to Russian authorities. The terminal can handle up to 12.5 million tons per year. Ukraine’s Fire Point company, which makes the drones used in the attack, said there was a fire on the terminal’s grounds following the strike.
A logistics centers in St. Petersburg was also attacked, according to Ozon, a Russian distribution company, as well as a data center for the Russian VKontakte social media platform.
One person was killed and five wounded in the attacks, with residential homes damaged as well, according to local authorities.
“They shot one down right above us: there was one bright flash, and it shook us up quite strongly,” a 41-year old resident of St. Petersburg told CNN.
“I heard a roar, got everyone out of their beds, took the cat, and we hid in the bathroom,” another said.
by CNN – Trump excoriates Zelensky after Ukraine defies US president with major attack on Russia
