Ukraine strikes major oil terminal in St. Petersburg as Trump holds 90-minute call with Putin

Jul 4, 2026

US President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 4, 2026, offering to help find a solution to the war. Concurrently, Ukraine executed a massive long-range drone strike hitting a major oil terminal and the Kronstadt naval base in St. Petersburg, Putin's home town. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump, emphasizing that American resolve is decisive. Meanwhile, the Netherlands announced it will host a special tribunal to prosecute Russian leadership.

Trump-Putin phone call

▪Donald Trump stated that United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were prepared to visit Moscow to continue negotiations.
▪United States President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 4, 2026.
▪Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of United States independence during their phone call.
▪During the phone call, Donald Trump offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

St. Petersburg oil terminal strike

▪Ukraine's General Staff claimed its attacks disabled 42.74 percent of Russia's oil refining capacity as of early July 2026.
▪Russian air defenses shot down 72 drones over St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region, according to Governor Alexander Beglov.
▪Russian authorities briefly halted flight operations at Pulkovo Airport and throttled municipal mobile internet networks to jam drone navigation.
▪Ukrainian forces targeted the Kronstadt naval base in St. Petersburg, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as an important military target.
▪Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia, during an overnight attack on July 4, 2026.

Zelensky diplomatic engagements

▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with United States President Donald Trump to mark US Independence Day.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 4, 2026, to discuss Russia's latest attacks.
▪Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump discussed the war's 1,200km frontline and agreed to continue discussions at the upcoming NATO meeting.

Kostiantynivka ceasefire proposal

▪Russia proposed a temporary six-hour ceasefire in Kostiantynivka on July 6, 2026, to facilitate the handover of fallen Ukrainian service members' bodies.
▪Russia required Ukraine to notify the Russian military of its decision regarding the ceasefire proposal by noon on July 5, 2026, Moscow time.

Russia war crimes tribunal

▪Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten confirmed the tribunal hosting decision following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
▪The Netherlands announced it will host a special tribunal to prosecute Russia's leadership for launching the invasion of Ukraine.