Russia cancels major air show again over drone attack fears
6:21 PM EDT, June 25, 2024
The Russians have canceled the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS for the second time, typically held at Zhukovsky International Airport. The reasons cited are security concerns and a potential drone attack. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin regularly attended the MAKS shows, ceremoniously enjoying ice cream.
Sources from Kommersant claim the shows were canceled "for security reasons." - "It is probably possible to enhance security measures, but the use of electronic warfare against potential drone threats would interfere with the flight program and wouldn't make much sense," said one of the publication's sources.
Russians fear an attack. Events canceled
The International Aviation and Space Salon exhibits aviation and space technology and scientific achievements in aircraft construction. It has been held since 1993 in Zhukovsky at the Ramenskoye Airport of the Gromov Flight Research Institute. The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the state corporation Rostec organize the event.
As Meduza recalls, the air show was initially scheduled to take place in 2023, but it was postponed to 2024. "For the first time in the 30-year history of the air shows, the organizers refused to hold MAKS," it reads. According to sources, the organizers avoided the word "cancellation."
A tradition of indulging in ice cream
The last time Putin attended the events was in 2021. It became a tradition for him and his entourage to enjoy ice cream during the show. "This time, the treat was brought in a pink case just as the flight program was being watched," the 360.ru portal described.
Ministers, business people, and entrepreneurs, among others, accompanied Putin. In 2021, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also attended the events.
