The St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a flagship event for President Vladimir Putin’s administration, opened today under the shadow of a series of drone attacks that struck the city overnight. At least three explosions were reported near the venue, with two confirmed drone strikes on the outskirts of the city, according to local emergency services. No casualties have been reported, but the attacks have heightened security at the forum, where Kremlin officials were scheduled to host foreign investors and discuss economic resilience.
The Ukrainian government has not claimed responsibility, but analysts view the incident as a deliberate attempt to undermine Russia’s narrative of stability. The forum, once a showcase for international cooperation, now serves as a stage for Moscow to project strength amid Western sanctions. The drone attacks, while limited in scale, signal the extension of the conflict to Russia’s second-largest city, challenging the Kremlin’s ability to guarantee safety at major public events.
The UK Foreign Office condemned the strikes, though it stopped short of endorsing attacks on Russian soil. The forum’s agenda will proceed as planned, but the drone strikes have cast a long shadow over proceedings.
