‘Smell’ of war comes to St Petersburg as Ukraine hammers Russian refineries
Why it matters: Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil facilities directly impact Russia's ability to fund its war efforts.
- Ukraine is targeting Russian oil infrastructure, including facilities near St. Petersburg, to drain Russia's war chest.
- AP News reports a Russian attack killed three in Odesa, highlighting ongoing Russian aggression despite Ukrainian counter-offensives.
- ABC News indicates that Ukraine outshot Russia in cross-border drone warfare for the first time in March, suggesting a shift in drone capabilities.
- The Institute for the Study of War provides an assessment of the Russian Offensive Campaign as of April 5, 2026, contextualizing these strikes within the broader conflict.
Ukraine has escalated its drone campaign, striking Russian oil facilities in Pokrovsk and Ust-Luga, including a significant attack near St. Petersburg, aiming to deplete Russia's war funding. This offensive comes as Ukraine reportedly outshot Russia in cross-border drone attacks for the first time in March, even as Russia continues its own deadly assaults, such as a recent strike killing three in Odesa.
