Drone attack on Leningrad region downs 57 aircraft, closes Pulkovo Airport

A mass drone attack targeted the Leningrad region overnight on October 18, with air defense systems shooting down 57 drones, according to Governor Alexander Drozdenko. Explosions were heard in St. Petersburg, and debris damaged four parked cars. The attack prompted a temporary closure of Pulkovo Airport from 2:00 AM, halting flights until the situation stabilizes. A fire was also reported in the region, though its exact location was not specified. The air defense operation was ongoing as of the latest reports. This follows a previous drone incursion the prior morning, when two drones were downed and Pulkovo delayed about 20 flights. The broader context includes a massive overnight attack on October 17, when Russian forces reported shooting down 610 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.