LONDON — The St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a flagship event for the Kremlin to showcase Russia’s economic resilience, has been overshadowed by a series of drone attacks targeting the city and its outskirts, according to reporting from the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg, the UK’s most senior correspondent in Russia.
Rosenberg, filing from inside the forum venue, described a palpable tension as delegates and officials grappled with the dual realities of a carefully curated display of business confidence and the persistent security threats from Ukraine’s expanding drone programme. The attacks, described by Russian authorities as “massive,” struck fuel depots and infrastructure near the city in the early hours of Thursday, disrupting a key narrative of normalcy that President Vladimir Putin has sought to project.
The forum, often dubbed “Russia’s Davos,” has been a centrepiece of the Kremlin’s effort to attract investment and signal stability amid Western sanctions. This year, Putin’s address was framed around themes of technological sovereignty and economic independence. However, the drone incursions have undercut this message, forcing officials to acknowledge ongoing vulnerabilities. Rosenberg noted that the attacks occurred just as foreign delegates, including representatives from China and the Middle East, were being courted for partnerships.
Strategic analysts view the timing of the drone strikes as a deliberate escalation by Ukraine, aimed at demonstrating its ability to strike deep into Russian territory and disrupt high-profile events. The UK Ministry of Defence has assessed that these operations are part of a broader campaign to degrade Russia’s logistical and energy infrastructure, a tactic that has intensified since the winter. The psychological impact on the forum’s attendees should not be underestimated, Rosenberg observed, as many delegates were visibly unsettled by the proximity of the attacks.
From an institutional perspective, the Kremlin’s response has been measured. State media outlets have downplayed the significance of the drone strikes, focusing instead on the forum’s economic announcements. However, independent observers note that the frequency and sophistication of these attacks are increasing, posing a challenge to Russia’s air defence systems, which have struggled to intercept smaller, low-flying drones. This has implications for the integrity of Russia’s strategic communications, as the narrative of an impregnable homeland is eroded.
The St Petersburg Forum has historically been a venue for Russia to project soft power and foster economic diplomacy. Yet this year’s event is overshadowed by the realities of a protracted conflict that shows no signs of abating. The drone attacks serve as a stark reminder that the war’s front lines extend far beyond the Donbas, reaching into the heart of Russia’s second city. For Western policymakers, the developments underscore the need for continued support of Ukraine’s defence capabilities, particularly in the realm of unmanned systems.
Rosenberg’s reporting, which has been widely circulated across UK news outlets, highlights the disconnection between the Kremlin’s official optimism and the ground-level anxiety felt by many Russians. While the forum proceeds with its schedule of panels and networking events, the drone attacks have become an unspoken theme, a shadow that no amount of diplomatic spin can fully dispel. As one delegate was overheard remarking, “We are here to talk about the economy, but we cannot ignore the sound of explosions.”
The long-term implications for Russia’s economic ambitions remain uncertain. The immediate effect, however, is clear: the St Petersburg Forum has been defined not by the deals struck or the speeches delivered, but by the drones that punctuated the proceedings, marking the event as a symbol of a nation at war.
