Pictures and videos on social media show open flames and black smoke billowing from the terminal - one of Russia's largest and most important, strategically located in the large port of St. Petersburg.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms that Ukraine is behind it.
"Important facilities on Russian territory were hit last night. Among them is the St. Petersburg oil terminal," the Ukrainian president writes on X.
Nearly 60 drones were shot down overnight, Leningrad Region Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said on Telegram, warning that mobile internet “may be affected.” Traffic from St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport has been halted or delayed, according to the Ansa news agency.
The extent of the damage is unclear. According to Drozdenko's latest update on Telegram, there are no reports of injuries, while St. Petersburg Mayor Aleksandr Beglov writes on the platform that several people have been injured.
The attack comes hours before this year's edition of the SPIEF International Economic Forum - commonly known as "Putin's Davos" - is set to kick off. In addition to President Vladimir Putin, a number of dignitaries are expected to attend, including Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud.
For the first time in almost a decade, the United States is also sending a delegation, writes Russian Interfax.
