Drone Strikes Hit Russian Oil Sites as Attacks Continue in Ukraine
Ukrainian drone strikes set an oil export terminal and a depot ablaze in St. Petersburg on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as Russia reported destroying 1,015 drones across 15 Russian regions, Crimea and the Black Sea. The attacks were among Ukraine’s largest aerial operations of the war.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said one person was killed and five were wounded. Fires broke out at the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Ruchi oil depot. Russian companies Ozon and VK also confirmed that a logistics centre and a data centre, respectively, were targeted. The reported drone total came from Russia’s Defence Ministry.
The strikes coincided with uncertainty over U.S. policy toward Russia. President Donald Trump said he had not decided on further sanctions after signing an executive order Friday waiving planned restrictions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued that easing sanctions would support Russia’s war effort. He also said intelligence sharing between Washington and Kyiv had resumed after a temporary interruption.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia killed a woman and wounded at least two people, including a six-year-old girl, according to local officials. Zelenskyy said Russian strikes had hit Ukraine’s energy, oil and gas sectors 76 times in the week since Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” on October 11. He said overnight attacks on facilities in four regions left tens of thousands of families without power.
Kyiv said it resumed attacks on Russian oil facilities after a three-day pause, saying Russian strikes had continued despite the ceasefire announcement. Separately, Ukraine apologized after a drone entered Lithuanian airspace and damaged a moving car. No injuries were reported. Ukrainian officials suggested Russian electronic interference may have diverted the drone. The developments underscored the military exchanges and diplomatic disagreements over whether an energy ceasefire is being observed, as well as the unresolved question of U.S. sanctions.