October 11, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Kronstadt is under attack: Kyiv is hitting the Baltic Fleet


Ukrainian drones attacked objects in the area St. Petersburg: Kyiv announced the defeat of the corvette “glib” V Kronstadt.

Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Force announced a strike on a Russian corvette “glib” project 20380 based in Kronstadtapproximately 20 kilometers from St. Petersburg. The attack was part of a broader operation against Russian military and energy infrastructure on the night of June 2-3, 2026.

According to the Ukrainian version published by the commander Using Ukrainian unmanned systems Robert Browdyknown by the call sign “Madyar”a long-range Ukrainian drone penetrated an area of ​​heavily guarded naval infrastructure Kronstadt and hit the corvette “glib”which was in dry dock for repairs.

Ukrainian edition “Ukrainian Truth” with reference to Unmanned Systems Forces And Security Service of Ukraine reported that the target was a missile corvette “glib”. According to specialized military resources, the strike hit the ship in the dock, but the final extent of the damage is still being determined.

Reuters also reported Ukrainian strikes on an oil terminal and naval facility in the area St. Petersburgpointing out that footage released by Ukraine shows the moment the corvette was hit in dry dock, but that independent damage assessment remains limited.

“glib” refers to the project’s corvettes 20380. This is a modern ship in the near sea zone, equipped with missile, artillery and anti-aircraft weapons. Even limited damage to such a docked unit could mean prolongation of repairs and additional stress on the infrastructure Baltic Fleet.

Strike on Kronstadt and oil terminal

Attack on Kronstadt was not the only episode. On the same night, Ukrainian drones, according to the Ukrainian side and Western media, hit St. Petersburg oil terminalone of the important hubs of Russian oil logistics in Baltic Sea.

After the impact, a fire broke out at the facility, and columns of black smoke were visible at a considerable distance. Attacks on military and industrial facilities in other regions of Russia were also reported, including an enterprise in Tambov region.

Russian authorities have confirmed attacks on infrastructure facilities in the area St. Petersburg. City Governor Alexander Beglov reported the destruction of several targets, and the airport Pulkovo temporarily limited work due to the threat of drones. According to Western media reports, dozens of flights were delayed and cancelled.

The symbolism of the attack enhances its timing: the blows fell at the beginning St. Petersburg International Economic Forumwhich the Russian government traditionally uses as a demonstration of the stability of the economy and international relations. Kyiv, judging by the choice of goals and timing, hit not only the infrastructure, but also the picture of stability.

How could drones reach St. Petersburg?

Distance from the Ukrainian border to the region St. Petersburg exceeds a thousand kilometers. The Ukrainian side claims to be developing long-range strike capabilities, but the exact route of the drones has not been officially disclosed.

Greek sources suggest that the drones could have passed through the Baltic states and Poland, or been launched from a commercial vessel in Baltic Sea. However, at the moment such versions remain unconfirmed. Without evidence, this should be considered precisely as a hypothesis, and not as an established fact.

Similar assumptions were previously made after the discovery of an unmanned vehicle near Lefkadawhen among the versions being considered was a possible launch from a commercial vessel. But even in this case, open data that allows one to reliably link such episodes into a single scheme is not enough.

Zelensky talks about “long-range sanctions”

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky confirmed successful long-range strikes and called them part of policy “long-range sanctions” against the Russian military machine. According to him, Ukraine will increase the scale of such operations.

“It’s only a matter of time before we increase the scale of our massive strikes.”Zelensky said, commenting on the actions of Ukrainian forces.

Kyiv emphasizes that the strikes are aimed at facilities that serve the Russian war: military bases, repair facilities, oil infrastructure and defense enterprises. Moscow, in turn, views such attacks as attacks on Russian territory and uses them to justify further escalation.

In fact, the war is moving deeper into the format of long-range technological confrontation. Drones, which just a few years ago seemed like an auxiliary weapon, are now turning into an instrument of strategic pressure: they hit ports, factories, airfields, docks and symbolic points of Russian statehood.

Editorial comment

Hit on Kronstadt is important not only due to the possible damage to one ship. It shows that Russia’s rear zones, long considered deep and secure, are becoming increasingly vulnerable. If the Ukrainian drone actually reaches the area Baltic Fleet at St. Petersburgthis is no longer just a tactical episode, but a demonstration of the new reality of war.

For years, Russia has relied on massive attacks on Ukrainian energy, cities and industry, counting on the effect of attrition. Now Ukraine is increasingly responding asymmetrically: not with the number of missiles, but with the choice of targets, range and political moment. The strike on the opening day of the forum is not only a military operation, but also an information signal: even a showcase of Russian resilience is no longer outside the risk zone.





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