Drones Trail Shadow Over SPIEF Opening
TL;DR Summary
St. Petersburg's SPIEF opened amid black smoke from Ukrainian drone strikes on targets near the venue, drawing about 20,000 attendees from 130 countries. The forum emphasizes pragmatic dialogue and the Global South, with Putin set to speak and Saudi Arabia as guest of honor, while Western participation remains largely absent. Reports of a U.S. delegation circulated but were disputed. Ukraine claimed strikes on a Baltic Fleet warship and an oil terminal; Russia said it intercepted hundreds of drones. Attendees described a tense mood as organizers downplay the damage and stress optimism for the forum.
- St. Petersburg Economic Forum Opens Under Shadow of Ukrainian Drone Strikes The Moscow Times
- Ukrainian drones strike St. Petersburg, hours before ‘Putin’s Davos’ opens CNN
- Ukraine Strikes St. Petersburg on First Day of a Marquee Putin Event The New York Times
- Ukraine’s drone strikes set a gloomy tone for Putin’s economic showcase AP News
- Ukraine hits oil refinery as Russia opens St. Petersburg economic forum The Washington Post
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