Fearing a Ukrainian attack: Putin changed the location of the annual conference at the last minute

Russian President Vladimir Putin moved the location of his annual foreign policy conference from Sochi to the Moscow region, due to fears of a Ukrainian drone attack. The decision was made against the backdrop of repeated Ukrainian strikes in the Sochi area, which have killed at least 19 people and wounded 188.

Russian President Vladimir Putin moved the location of his annual foreign policy conference from Sochi to the Moscow region, due to fears of a Ukrainian drone attack. Sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times on Tuesday. The decision was made amid growing Kremlin concerns over Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia. About 120 conference participants were informed of the location change only last month, after initially being asked to come to Sochi. Putin's presidential security service insisted on moving the event. Since the start of the tourist season in May, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked oil refineries and infrastructure in the Sochi area and other resorts on the Black Sea coast. According to the Financial Times, the attacks in the region have killed at least 19 people and wounded 188. The long-range drones developed by Ukraine have already managed to hit targets more than 3,000 kilometers from its border. The change in the conference location is further evidence of Kremlin fears of Ukraine's growing ability to strike deep into Russia. The attacks on energy facilities continue even after Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to cease strikes on such infrastructure, but neither country has confirmed this. The conference is expected to take place at the end of the month, and Putin usually attends on its last day.