Russia installs concrete shelters in St. Petersburg amid drone attacks

Authorities in Russia's Kronstadt district of St. Petersburg have begun installing concrete shelters in response to an increasing number of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory.

District officials said the shelters will be placed at four locations across Kronstadt, including Yakornaya Square near the Naval St. Nicholas Cathedral, a public area along Kronstadt Highway in Microdistrict 16, Zosimova Street near Incheon Park, and near a bus stop at the intersection of Litke Street and Kronstadt Highway, The Moscow Times reports. 

The district administration stated that the shelters will be located within the city's "Safe City" video surveillance network. Residents were urged to keep the facilities clean and use them only for their intended purpose.

In guidance accompanying the announcement, local authorities cited recommendations from Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations, advising residents to remain indoors during drone attacks, stay in rooms with load-bearing walls, and keep away from windows. Those caught outdoors were instructed to seek shelter in the nearest secure building.

The move comes amid a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure. On June 3, a fire broke out at the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal following a reported drone attack in the city's Kirovsky district. Residents reported hearing explosions in several districts, including Admiralteysky, Vasileostrovsky, Primorsky and Krasnoselsky.

Earlier in May, operations at the Kirishinefteorgsintez (KINEF) oil refinery in Russia's Leningrad region, one of the country's largest refineries, were reportedly suspended following a drone strike.

Russian authorities have also reported a sharp increase in attacks on the capital. On June 18, Moscow experienced what officials described as the largest drone assault since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said approximately 200 drones were intercepted as they approached the city, with the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district identified as a primary target. Drone attacks on the capital reportedly continued the following day.

By Sabina Mammadli