Russian-backed officials in Ukraine's occupied Crimea region report that Ukrainian strikes on the peninsula have killed at least four people.

Three fatalities and seven injuries occurred during one assault on non-residential sites in Simferopol, marking the first deadly incident there. Ukraine indicated it had targeted a fuel depot.

Separately, one person died and three others were hurt when a commuter train heading to Kerch came under attack, according to the Russia-installed leader of Crimea.

This represents the third consecutive day of accusations involving strikes on civilian transport in occupied areas.

Ukrainian officials, responding to BBC inquiries, avoided direct confirmation of the attacks but stressed that only military sites are targeted and accused Russia of spreading propaganda to build a parallel reality.

The strikes form part of Ukraine's ongoing drone campaign against Russian supply lines in occupied territories.

Fuel shortages have spread across Crimea as a result, prompting rationing measures and a temporary halt to fuel sales for Sevastopol residents on Wednesday.

Kyiv maintains that such operations against targets in Russia and occupied Ukraine are essential to weakening Moscow's war effort.

Ukraine has also broadened its reach inside Russia in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, a strike hit the outskirts of St Petersburg just hours before a key economic forum aimed at drawing foreign investment.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian drones struck multiple sites in Russia, including an oil terminal and naval base in Kronstadt, home to the Baltic Fleet.

The St Petersburg Economic Forum serves as a major event on Russia's political calendar.

Prior to the 2022 full-scale invasion, it regularly drew prominent Western attendees, including heads of state.

Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the seizure of Crimea in 2014.

Over the four years since the invasion started, Ukraine has built a strong defense industry, enabling regular strikes inside Russia focused on energy and oil infrastructure seen as supporting the war machine.