Summary: Russia has indefinitely postponed Dronnitsa, its flagship combat-drone expo, after organizers said they received intelligence of an alleged Ukrainian plot to strike the event. The announcement — made on Telegram and reported by Meduza — coincided with Ukrainian strikes on Novorossiysk that Russian officials say killed three and wounded 24. Damage to refineries, restrictions on gasoline exports through 2026, and strikes on major commercial sites such as Wildberries are compounding economic strain and eroding public support for President Putin.
Russia Postpones Major Drone Expo Citing Alleged Ukrainian Threat
Alexander Kazakov / via REUTERS
Russia has indefinitely postponed Dronnitsa, the country's largest combat-drone exhibition, after organizers said they received warnings that Ukrainian drones or other munitions might target the event.
The convention had been scheduled for Aug. 29–30 in Veliky Novgorod, roughly 75 miles from the Valdai compound where President Vladimir Putin reportedly spends much of his time. Organizers announced the indefinite postponement on the Telegram messaging app; the independent outlet Meduza published the notice.
Organizers' Claim
Ukraine's attacks have penetrated ever deeper into Russia since the start of this year. / TERESA SUAREZ / POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Organizers said they had learned of “the enemy’s plans to strike the gathering while it is underway,” and argued that guarding the venue would require diverting air-defence assets and security personnel away from factories and military sites across two regions.
No evidence has been published to corroborate the claim. Organizers told The Moscow Times the alleged threat combined ballistic munitions with what they described as “terrorist bio-drones,” language intended to emphasize the purported risk to civilians and infrastructure.
Scale and Political Backing
Last year’s Dronnitsa attracted more than 1,500 attendees and exhibits from over 100 Russian manufacturers. The event has high-level backing: Dmitry Peskov — the president’s special representative on digital and technological development (not to be confused with the Kremlin spokesperson of the same name) — opened last year’s gathering.
Kyiv's strikes have put huge parts of Russia's oil refining infrastructure offline. / Stringer / Stringer/Reuters
Wider Context: Strikes Inside Russia
The postponement came the same day Ukrainian drones and missiles struck the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Russian officials reported damage to warships and said two major grain terminals halted operations; at least three people were killed and 24 wounded, according to those reports. Russia’s grain lobby warned that Black Sea exports could be disrupted as a result.
Ukrainian strikes have also damaged energy infrastructure: refineries have suffered heavy hits, knocking significant refining capacity offline. Moscow has banned gasoline exports through the end of 2026 and imposed regional rationing, with reports of long queues at fuel stations in some areas.
Ukrainian drones have also carried out a series of attacks against Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries. / Social Media / Social Media via REUTERS
Commercial targets have not been spared. Ukrainian drones have reportedly struck about a dozen sites belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest e-commerce company. Analysts estimated that the initial wave of attacks on those facilities killed eight people, injured more than 70, and caused losses that could reach around $1.3 billion.
Security and Political Effects
Officials have also curtailed large public military displays to minimize targets: Russia canceled its Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg for a second consecutive year and scaled back the Victory Day parade in Moscow earlier in the year. Observers warn that the cumulative effect of strikes, fuel shortages and other economic strains is contributing to a weakening of public support for President Putin, particularly among younger Russians.
Bottom Line
The Dronnitsa postponement highlights how military and civilian events inside Russia are being reshaped by security concerns. Organizers cited alleged intelligence about an imminent strike, but they have not released supporting evidence. The decision underscores broader logistical and political pressures facing Moscow as Ukraine’s long-range strikes press deeper into Russian territory.
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