Moscow (TDI): Russian authorities said they shot down 50 drones over the Leningrad region overnight as what they described as a Ukrainian attack targeted areas near key energy infrastructure ahead of a major economic forum in St. Petersburg.
Governor Alexander Drozdenko said air defenses intercepted the drones over the region, which lies northwest of Moscow and hosts important oil and export facilities. He added that defensive operations were continuing as further threats were monitored.
The timing of the incident coincided with the opening of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, often referred to as Russia’s “Davos”, which is being held under tight security conditions this year due to ongoing wartime disruptions.
The forum, launched in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is taking place shortly after renewed drone and missile exchanges between Russia and Ukraine intensified overnight. Russian officials said strikes on Kyiv earlier in the week were carried out in response to an attack on a facility in Russian-controlled Luhansk.
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In St. Petersburg, authorities introduced additional security measures, including temporary restrictions at Pulkovo Airport, where dozens of flights were delayed or cancelled. City officials said law enforcement agencies had been deployed in larger numbers to secure the event.
Despite the security concerns, the economic forum is expected to proceed with high-level participation. Leaders and officials from several countries, including Uzbekistan, Tanzania, China, and Saudi Arabia, are scheduled to attend, alongside business figures and international guests.
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Ukraine has in recent weeks intensified its drone campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt oil production and export capacity. Russian authorities reported additional drone interceptions near Moscow and damage to industrial sites in central regions.
Meanwhile, regional spillover effects were also reported, with Latvia briefly issuing an airspace warning near its border with Russia before later withdrawing it.
