Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russia
Ukraine says more than 1,000 drones were deployed and fires broke out at oil facilities around St Petersburg.
Follow-up to: Trump suspends new sanctions against Russia Saturday, 17 October 2026, 05:30
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Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone attack on targets in Russia on Sunday. According to the AP news agency, more than 1,000 drones were launched and fires broke out at, among other sites, the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Ruchi oil depot.
According to AP, US President Donald Trump temporarily suspended new sanctions against Russia on Friday. That earlier decision followed, according to AP, an appeal to the US national interest and a review period of up to 60 days.
Russian authorities said that drones reached several regions. Fires were reported at oil infrastructure in and around St Petersburg. The extent of the damage and any consequences for fuel supplies have not been independently established.
The full damage caused by Ukraine’s attack has not yet been established. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said, according to AP, that Russian electronic warfare may have diverted a drone during an operation against military targets.
Russian authorities regard the attacks as an expansion of the war into Russian territory. Ukraine, by contrast, says Russia has been attacking energy and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine for years, and that attacks on military and logistical targets are a response to this.
The attack could influence the debate in Washington over further sanctions, but no new decision on this is yet known. Nor has it been established whether the attack caused a lasting disruption to oil exports or refining capacity. AP previously reported on the US sanctions pause.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- There was a large-scale drone attack on targets in Russia on 18 October.
- Fires at oil facilities were reported near St Petersburg.
- The United States had temporarily suspended new sanctions against Russia.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that Ukraine is defending itself against a Russian invasion and that pressure on Russian energy infrastructure could weaken Russia’s war machine.
Values Self-defence, international law and support for the attacked country.
Consequences Fears that restraint towards Russia will encourage further attacks and calls for continued military and economic support for Ukraine.
Centre
Arguments Emphasises that both sides must avoid escalation and that sanctions should be targeted and linked to diplomatic conditions.
Values Stability, proportionality and a verifiable negotiating process.
Consequences Fears that attacks on energy infrastructure will prolong the war and increase European energy and security risks.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that Russia must be deterred more forcefully and that Ukraine must receive sufficient means to strike Russian military capacity outside Ukraine.
Values National security, deterrence and responsibility for aggression.
Consequences Fears that sanctions pauses without clear Russian concessions will be read as weakness.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts are based on a current AP report. Details about the full damage, the exact number of targets hit and the strategic consequences remain uncertain and have been formulated accordingly.
- confirmed According to AP, Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones towards Russia. — Reported by AP on 18 October 2026. source
- confirmed Fires broke out near St Petersburg at the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Ruchi depot. — Reported by AP based on local authorities. source
- confirmed The full damage and consequences for fuel supplies have not been established. — AP confirms fires, but not a complete independent damage assessment. source
Editor's note
The drone attack and fires were reported by AP. The figure of more than 1,000 drones comes from Ukrainian and Russian reports as described by AP; independent verification of all targets and damage is lacking.Sources
- St Petersburg oil facilities ablaze as Ukraine launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia — Associated Press
- Trump pauses new Russia sanctions for up to 60 days — Associated Press
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 21:44 Trump announces 300,000-tonne Russian diesel deal
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 06:48 US temporarily make Russian diesel tradable again
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 10:45 Deadly attack puts Trump's diesel deal under pressure
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 20:45 Trump calls for new president of Ukraine
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 22:48 British prime minister promises Zelensky support after Trump criticism
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 14:57 Zelensky offers to halt refinery attacks in return for Russian move
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 19:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, Kyiv does not confirm agreement
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 20:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, attacks continue
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:02 Attack on power station immediately puts Trump’s energy truce under pressure
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 22:27 Russian attacks put energy truce under immediate pressure
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 12:59 Kremlin does not confirm Trump's energy ceasefire
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 14:59 Zelensky had no warning of Russian missile attack on Kyiv
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 23:28 Zelensky says allies again failed to warn him
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 01:56 Russian missiles hit power plant in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 06:59 Russian missile hits power station in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 08:00 Zelensky seeks swift new talks with US envoys
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:29 New Russian attacks increase pressure on Ukraine’s power grid
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 17:33 New Russian attack leaves Kyiv without power
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 18:58 Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine falters
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 07:59 Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 18:14 Ukraine reports damage to six Russian fighter aircraft
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 20:45 Diesel deal puts US–Ukraine relationship under further strain
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 05:30 Trump suspends new sanctions against Russia
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 14:38 Zelensky: sanctions pause encourages Putin
- Sunday, 18 October 2026, 19:40 Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russia (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „oekraïne rusland”
- RTL Nieuws — „oekraïne rusland”
- NOS — „oekraïne rusland”