Russia said it had shot down three drones over the northwestern Leningrad region and was continuing efforts to repel further attacks, according to regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko, as the country prepared to open its flagship annual economic forum.
The Leningrad region, home to key energy export facilities and one of Russia’s major oil refineries, is hosting the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), often dubbed President Vladimir Putin’s “Russian Davos.” The event, taking place in St. Petersburg, marks the fifth edition since Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine in 2022.
The investment gathering opens just hours after a major Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv that left multiple casualties. Moscow said the attack was retaliation for a strike on a dormitory in Russian-controlled Luhansk.
In St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city and Putin’s hometown, authorities temporarily imposed restrictions on arrivals and departures at Pulkovo Airport, according to Russia’s aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia.
Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defence systems intercepted 13 drones approaching the Russian capital during the early hours of Wednesday.
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