Ukraine drones hit St Petersburg gas terminal in Russia

AN explosion at a major gas appeared to be a large fire. export terminal near the Novatek later announced city of St Petersburg in Russia that work at the terminal had was carried out by Ukrainian been suspended, and said the drones, BBC News has r eportfire was the result of "external ed. influence" without providThe blast caused a large fire ing further details. at the Ust- Luga terminal, but The Ukrainians say fuel no injuries, Russian officials processed at the plant was said. being used to supply Russian An official source in Kyiv said troops in their war against the "special operation" of the Ukraine and that this strike SBU security service master"significantly complicates" minded the attack, with logistics for the military. drones that worked " on tarThey also describe the attack get". as an economic blow to Both Russia and Ukraine Russia, which exports fuel have used dr ones in the curfrom the terminal. rent conflict. Russia's Fontanka has pubRussia launched its full- scale lished a video showing of invasion of Ukraine nearly tankers moored close to two years ago, but has made where the fire is raging. It little progress in recent reports two drones were months. spotted approaching the city Regarding the explosion of St Petersburg at about near St Petersburg, regional 01: 00 local time ( 22: 00 GMT) governor Alexander but swerved sharply at the Drozdenko said a "high alert outskirts before heading for regime" was in place after the the coast and the Ust- Luga incident at the terminal of port. gas producer Novatek, in UstAn eyewitness is heard sayLuga on the Gulf of Finland. ing the ground shook He shared a video of what beneath his feet with the explosions.

The Russian Telegram channel Mash quotes a source saying they heard two explosions before the fire. The channel says around 150 staff were evacuated from the terminal.

Another video, posted on Russian social media, appears to show huge balls of orange fire, a man's voice is heard referring to hearing the buzzing of a drone before the explosion.

Fontanka. ru, usually a reliable source, says flights in and out of St Petersburg had been grounded before the explosions, as a plan known as "Carpet" was put in place.

Russia's defence ministry also said it shot down three Ukrainian drones in Smolensk Region, close to its border with Ukraine, on Saturday night.

It earlier said it had shot down drones over Tula and Oryol, both in western Russia. There were no reports of casualties.