St Petersburg Economic Forum draws US figures and faces Ukrainian drone attacks

Russia’s St Peterburg Economic Forum, often dubbed the Russian ‘Davos’, opened on June 3 with President Vladimir Putin presiding over a three‑day gathering of around 20,000 delegates from 130 countries. The event, aimed at attracting foreign investment, featured a mix of allied leaders from Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Cuba, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as controversial Western personalities such as right‑wing commentator Candace Owens, actor‑martial‑artist Steven Seagal and Rodney Cook, chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.

On the eve of the forum, Ukrainian drones struck energy and military infrastructure in St Peterburg, hitting a petroleum terminal and the Kronstadt naval base. Governor Alexander Beglov said “several” facilities were damaged, though no fatalities were reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky framed the attacks as “long‑range sanctions” intended to disrupt the event. The drone raid forced temporary closure of the city’s main airport and produced visible smoke over the forum venue.

The forum proceeds amid heightened tensions, with the Ukrainian conflict casting a shadow over Russia’s attempt to showcase its economic agenda to the world.