Russia cancels drone rally over security concerns
Russian drone operator rally “Dronnitsa,” scheduled for late August in Novgorod Oblast, was canceled over fears that Ukraine planned to attack the event with its own UAVs, independent Russian outlet Agentstvo.Novosti reported on Aug. 12.
The annual drone rally known as "Dronnitsa," set to take place in late August in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, has been abruptly canceled due to security concerns. The decision was announced by independent Russian news outlet Agentstvo.Novosti on August 12. The organizers cited the receipt of accurate and credible information regarding Ukraine's intention to launch UAV attacks against the event at the scheduled time.
The rally, which has been an annual occurrence since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, was planned to feature lectures, seminars, workshops, a drone exhibition, and demonstration flights. Scheduled for August 29-30, the event was set to be held at the same location each year, listed on the event's website as Veliky Novgorod near Lake Ilmen, approximately 120 km from Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence in Valdai.
In December 2025, Russia accused Ukraine of launching around 100 drones at Putin's Valdai residence, a claim that Ukraine denied. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War later stated there was no evidence to support such an attack.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
