Ukraine Unleashes Major Drone Assault on Russia Amidst Fires

WHO:

CNN - Ukraine, President Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian defense ministry, Fire Point company, Ozon (Russian distribution company).

WHAT:

CNN - Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks this year on Russia, hitting a key oil terminal.

CNN - Russia's defense ministry reported shooting down 1,015 Ukrainian drones.

CNN - A logistics center in St. Petersburg was attacked, resulting in one death and five injuries.

CNN - Eleven people were killed and nearly 50 injured across Ukraine in Russian missile and drone attacks in a 24-hour period.

CNN - Zelensky stated that Russia attacked Ukraine's energy and oil and gas sectors 76 times since the announcement of an energy ceasefire.

WHERE:

CNN - St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, St. Petersburg, Odesa region (Ukraine).

WHEN:

CNN - The drone attack occurred overnight on Saturday.

WHY:

CNN - Ukraine defied President Trump's demand to stop hitting Russian energy infrastructure amid fears of losing US support.

CNN - Zelensky expressed that Russia is not reciprocating any signals of opportunity for peace or agreements.

HOW:

CNN - Ukraine's drone attacks were carried out using drones manufactured by Fire Point company.

CNN - Zelensky mentioned that the Ukrainian military's access to the Starlink system is curtailed, affecting their defense capabilities.

(UPDATED October 18, 2026 11:56 UTC)

Ukraine has launched one of its biggest drone attacks this year on Russia, targeting a key oil terminal and a logistics center in St. Petersburg, which resulted in one death and five injuries. In response, Russia's defense ministry reported shooting down over a thousand Ukrainian drones, while President Zelensky noted that Russia has attacked Ukraine's energy sectors 76 times since an energy ceasefire was announced. Despite President Trump's demand to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, Zelensky emphasized that Russia is not showing any willingness to pursue peace or agreements.