Ukraine has targeted a series of key facilities located in Russia overnight,Volodymyr Zelenskyyhas said - as pictures emerge showing a large plume of smoke rising from Vladimir Putin's hometown, St Petersburg. Announcingthe attackson X the Ukranian president said "our long-range sanctions", undertaken by various national defense and security forces "have yielded good results".

"Important facilities on Russian territory were hit last night," he said. One of the key locations hit was St. Petersburg Oil Terminal which Zelenskyy highlighted is located around 684 miles (1,100 kilometers) fromUkraine’s border. Following the attack onRussia's second-biggest city, Pulkovo airport temporarily restricted flights, Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said on Telegram. The incident coincided in the lead-up to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, scheduled to run from tomorrow, June 3 to June 6.

Our long-range sanctions carried out by the warriors of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the Special Operations Forces, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine have yielded good results. Important facilities…pic.twitter.com/esxYMexU8d

The annual conference of business leaders and government officials is hosted by Russian PresidentVladimir Putinand is often described as the Russian equivalent of Davos.

Zelenskyy added that "purely military targets at the Kronstadt base were also hit". The historic Russian port city serves as the primary home for the Russian Baltic Fleet.

The Ukrainian president said a Russian arms factory in the Tambov region which he says is involved in the production of Russian weapons was also targeted. Zelenskyy highlighted that the region is 372 miles (600 kilometers) from the frontline.

Zelenskyy proceeded to thank Ukraine's "warriors for their precision".

"Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer. Glory to Ukraine!", Zelenskyy concluded.

Meanwhile, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said Ukrainian drones struck infrastructure facilities in the Kronstadt, Kirovsky, and Krasnoselsky districts early Wednesday morning.

He said the attacks damaged several facilities but did not specify which ones. “Cleanup operations are underway. Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities,” he said.

Source: Daily Express :: World Feed