Russia shoots down 144 Ukrainian drones over Leningrad region, fire at defence facility
Synopsis
Russia intercepted 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region in one of the largest single-region drone assaults of the war, sparking a fire at a Russian Defence Ministry facility and forcing more than 600 evacuations — all while the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was under way and Putin was refusing Zelensky's call for direct peace talks.
Key Takeaways
Russian air defence shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region on 6 June , according to Governor Alexander Drozdenko .
A fire broke out at a Russian Defence Ministry facility in the Lomonosovsky district ; 4 residents needed medical care, 1 hospitalised.
More than 600 people were evacuated from the security zone around the facility; the fire was later extinguished.
Three people were injured in a separate drone strike on St.
Petersburg city; all have since been discharged.
The Russian Defence Ministry reported 376 UAVs intercepted overnight across multiple regions.
An oil depot in Ust-Labinsk, Krasnodar region , also caught fire after a drone strike; 60 residents evacuated, no casualties reported.
Russian air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region on Saturday, 6 June, as a large-scale aerial assault targeted the area surrounding St. Petersburg. Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed the figures on social media, noting that no major structural damage was reported, though falling debris caused minor damage to residential buildings across several districts.
Fire at Defence Ministry Facility
A fire broke out at a Russian Defence Ministry facility in the Lomonosovsky district as a direct result of the drone attack, according to Governor Drozdenko. Four local residents required medical attention — one person was hospitalised, while three others, including a child, received treatment at the scene. More than 600 people were evacuated from the security zone around the facility. Drozdenko confirmed the fire was subsequently extinguished and emergency recovery operations were completed.
St. Petersburg Also Struck
Separately, three people were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on St. Petersburg city itself, according to city Governor Alexander Beglov. All three sustained minor injuries and have since been discharged from hospital. Residents across St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region reported hearing powerful sonic impacts resembling explosions from early Saturday morning.
Wider Overnight Strikes Across Russia
The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 376 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight across multiple regions — one of the largest single-night intercept tallies reported this year. In the Krasnodar region, a Ukrainian drone struck an oil depot in Ust-Labinsk, sparking a fire and prompting the evacuation of 60 nearby residents. No casualties were reported in that incident, according to regional authorities.
Timing and Diplomatic Context
The attacks mark the second major drone assault on St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region since the start of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which concluded on Saturday. This comes amid a broader diplomatic standoff: on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended an invitation for direct talks to end the war, but Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly declined, ruling out a face-to-face meeting with the Kyiv leadership — at least for the present. The escalation in drone activity against Russia's second-largest city, timed to a high-profile international forum, underscores how the conflict continues to reach deep into Russian territory.
Point of View
376 intercepted nationwide overnight — signals a deliberate Ukrainian strategy of sustained pressure on Russian home soil, not just frontline attrition. Targeting the St. Petersburg perimeter during the International Economic Forum was almost certainly calculated: it forces Moscow to publicly defend its second city while hosting foreign dignitaries. The fire at a Defence Ministry facility, however minor in official framing, is the kind of image the Kremlin cannot fully contain. Meanwhile, Putin's rejection of Zelensky's dialogue offer the previous day leaves the conflict with no visible off-ramp, and drone escalation on both sides is filling that vacuum.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ukrainian drones did Russia shoot down over the Leningrad region on 6 June?
Russian air defence forces shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region on Saturday, 6 June, according to regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko. It was the second major drone assault on the St. Petersburg area since the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum began.
What happened at the Russian Defence Ministry facility in Lomonosovsky district?
A fire broke out at the facility following the drone attack. Four residents required medical assistance — one was hospitalised and three, including a child, were treated on site. More than 600 people were evacuated from the surrounding security zone before the fire was extinguished.
Were there casualties in St. Petersburg city itself?
Three people were injured in a separate Ukrainian drone strike on St. Petersburg city, according to Governor Alexander Beglov. All three sustained minor injuries and were subsequently discharged from hospital.
How many drones did Russia intercept nationwide overnight?
The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 376 Ukrainian UAVs overnight across multiple regions — one of the largest single-night totals reported this year.
What is the diplomatic backdrop to these attacks?
On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to direct talks to end the war. Putin reportedly declined, ruling out a face-to-face meeting for the time being. The drone escalation followed within hours of that diplomatic rejection.
