St. Petersburg, June 3 — Avia.pro. Residents of St. Petersburg have posted numerous images of heavy smoke and a fire that broke out overnight on social media and in regional communities. Currently, official city agencies and relevant services have not issued any public statements regarding the exact causes and consequences of the ground incident.

According to eyewitnesses, a dense column of smoke from the fire was clearly visible from many areas of the northern capital at dawn. Internet users attribute the incident to the repulsion of a large-scale air attack, during which air defense systems intercepted more than 350 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions. Local residents speculate that fragments of one of the downed aircraft-type drones may have fallen on the territory of JSC Petersburg Oil Terminal, a strategic oil transshipment facility.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum kicks off today, prompting all law enforcement agencies and emergency services in the Leningrad Region to be placed on high alert. Emergency operations are underway at the scene, with specialists working to extinguish the fire and ensure the complete safety of transport and industrial infrastructure.