SAINT PETERSBURG, July 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian drones hit a warehouse near Saint Petersburg early Friday, triggering a fire that sent smoke pouring over the historic city, according to local officials and an AFP reporter.

Kyiv has targeted Saint Petersburg as it steps up long-range drone strikes on Russian energy, military and logistics sites in recent weeks.

Local media reported that the strikes targeted warehouses belonging to Russian online retail giant Wildberries, while the company said two of its warehouses in the city had temporarily halted operations, without giving more details.

An AFP reporter saw grey smoke rising into the morning sky over high-rise buildings.

"Saint Petersburg came under attack by military-purpose unmanned aerial vehicles ... the strike hit civilian infrastructure facilities," Governor Alexander Beglov said on social media.

"Efforts to address the consequences are currently under way," he added, without elaborating.

Ukrainian strikes have hit several Wildberries sites in the past week, including those serving Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the company stores and ships components for sanctioned military equipment.

Kyiv calls its campaign "long-range sanctions", saying the attacks are justified retribution for Russia's nightly drone and missile barrages of its cities.

The campaign has triggered nationwide fuel shortages and, Kyiv says, dented Russia's financial war chest.