DOMINANT ANGLE
Kiev details the night of October 18 as a strike on Russia's oil and digital capabilities, based on Fire Point's claims.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The Saint-Petersburg oil terminal has a capacity of 12.5 million tonnes per year, according to Ukrinform and NV Ukraine.
- 02
Fire Point claims its FP-1 drones hit the terminal, the Routchi depot, and a VKontakte data centre.
- 03
The VKontakte data centre had over 20,000 servers and 640 bays according to previous data cited by Ukrinform.
ANALYSIS
Kiev, October 18, 2026. The Ukrainian press is reporting on the night of October 18 through its economic and digital targets in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Ukrinform, citing the Russian service of the BBC, reports that Governor Alexander Beglov has announced a fire at the city's oil terminal and at other infrastructure in four districts.
The drone manufacturer Fire Point claims on Telegram that the Defense Forces hit the terminal with FP-1 drones. Ukrinform specifies that this is one of the largest facilities in the region, with a capacity of 12.5 million tons per year, "including for export". Fire Point writes that "fires broke out at the oil terminal and at the Routchi depot".
Ukrinform also relies on the Telegram channel Astra, which mentions the "Strumki" depot, with a capacity of 3,900 cubic meters, where AI-92, AI-95, and diesel fuel are stored. According to Astra, the residents of Saint Petersburg did not receive a drone alert, or received it very late.
The digital aspect occupies an equal place. A VKontakte data center in Novosergievka, in the Vsevolozhsk district, was targeted; according to previous data cited by Ukrinform, it had more than 20,000 servers and 640 bays. Fire Point reports serious damage and users are reporting disruptions, while VK claims that its services remain accessible. Astra adds that a substation was hit and a drone struck a cable-stayed bridge over the Korabelny channel.
Ukrinform also notes the fire at a warehouse of the distributor Ozon, with no casualties. NV Ukraine summarizes the night in Russian: the drones targeted the Leningrad region and Moscow, with a fire at the Saint Petersburg oil terminal.
The three texts do not mention the figure of 1,015 drones shot down announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense, nor the "energy truce" mentioned by Donald Trump. The account remains focused on what burned and what it costs the Russian export capacities and digital services.
