Russia cancels major air show due to security concerns - British intelligence

Russia has cancelled its main international MAKS air show in 2023 due to security concerns following recent drone attacks.

The UK Ministry of Defense said this in a new intelligence update published on Twitter, according to Ukrinform.

“The show has probably been canceled largely due to genuine security concerns, following recent uncrewed aerial vehicle attacks inside Russia. Organizers were highly likely also aware of the potential for reputational damage if fewer international delegations attended,” the report says.

Scheduled every other year, the international air show MAKS takes place near Moscow and showcases Russia’s civil and military aerospace sectors and has become key to securing export customers.

The British intelligence notes that Russian war against Ukraine has been exceptionally challenging for Russia’s aerospace community.

“The sector is struggling under international sanctions; highly trained specialists are being encouraged to serve as infantry in the Roscosmos space agency’s own militia,” the report says.

It is also noted that Commander in Chief of the Aerospace Forces, General Sergei Surovikin, has not been seen in public since the abortive mutiny by Wagner Group, for whom he served as point of contact with the Russian Ministry of Defence.