Vladimir Putin moves Valdai conference to Moscow over drone threats

Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved the location of the Valdai Discussion Club, Russia’s most significant foreign policy conference, from Sochi to Moscow due to security concerns. The decision follows increasing threats from long-range Ukrainian drone attacks.

According to reports citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter, the sudden relocation of the four-day event was prompted by persistent recommendations from Putin’s security service. The 120 conference participants were notified of the change last month, despite having originally received invitations to the Black Sea resort area.

The shift highlights the growing vulnerability of Russian territories to Ukrainian strikes. Sochi and surrounding Black Sea resorts have faced drone activity, including strikes on oil refineries during the summer. Data indicates a significant decline in Putin’s visits to Sochi; in 2021, prior to the invasion of Ukraine, he visited the resort 24 times, whereas in the last two years, he has visited only twice per year.