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Ukrainian drones struck St. Petersburg late Tuesday, hitting infrastructure and wounding several people, hours before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum opened. The attack forced temporary closure of the city's main airport and disrupted mobile internet services. The forum, hosted by President Putin, has representatives from 130 countries attending.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Russia is particularly unwilling to make concessions, dimming hopes for a peace deal. The House also advanced the Ukraine Support Act, which would establish a reconstruction fund and impose additional penalties on Russia.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck the Russian corvette Boikyi at the Kronstadt naval base in Leningrad Oblast, setting it on fire. The Boikyi is a guided-missile corvette that previously escorted oil tankers from Russia's shadow fleet through the English Channel in 2025.
The Akademik Alexander Karpinsky, a Russian state ship under US sanctions, conducted a secretive seismic survey for oil and gas in Antarctica's Unclaimed Sector during the 2024-25 summer season while spoofing its location to appear in the Baltic Sea. Russia admitted the survey at Antarctic Treaty talks in Hiroshima on 21 May 2026.
Gas stations in Moscow and northern Russia have introduced fuel purchase limits following Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries. Lukoil caps gasoline at 100 liters per driver, while ORTK limits gasoline to 60 liters and diesel to 100 liters. The restrictions come as attacks have halted about 25% of Russia's refining capacity.
Russia has banned imports of Armenian produce, flowers, mineral water, and alcoholic products over the past month, citing health violations. The restrictions target key exports including wine, cognac, fresh produce, and Jermuk mineral water, escalating economic pressure as Armenia pursues closer EU ties.
Candace Owens, a US podcaster with six million YouTube subscribers, is scheduled to speak at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia. Sources say Russian President Vladimir Putin is manipulating her to spread propaganda. She will appear on a panel with sanctioned Russian officials.
This commentary argues that the recent military-technical cooperation agreement between the Taliban regime and Russia is a pragmatic, interest-based exchange rather than an ideological alliance. It contends that both sides seek immediate gains: the Taliban aims to deter Pakistan and boost military capabilities, while Russia wants to establish itself as a security actor in the region as Western influence wanes.
At least five people were killed and 60 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day. In Sumy Oblast, a 64-year-old man died in a drone strike on his home. Kharkiv Oblast saw 11 injured overnight, with additional morning strikes killing three and injuring eight. Ukraine's air force shot down 189 of 198 Shahed drones launched overnight.
Russia has designated Saudi Arabia as its guest country at the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, underscoring their deepening ties amid OPEC upheaval. The UAE left OPEC on May 1, weakening the cartel's pricing power, while Russia and Saudi Arabia together produce over 20% of the world's oil.