Russia’s largest annual defense exhibition the “Army” International Military-Technical Exhibition and Forum Defense has been held at Moscow’s military-themed Patriot Park every year since 2015.
The flagship technology platform for Russia’s defense forces and industry included a mix of weapons and equipment exhibits, program of scientific and business presentations and discussions – which last year focused on “fighting the information war” – along with cultural events, and practical demonstrations of the latest vehicles and aircraft on offer.
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This year’s event was scheduled for Aug. 11-14 but the pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia reported on Wednesday citing sources within the Russian Ministry of Defense, that it had been canceled and had been removed from the venue’s event calendar.
The Kommersant website suggested that rather than being canceled it would still be held but was now closed to the public. The forum still features on the official Army website and no formal cancelation had been announced on its Telegram, VKontakte and other social media channels.
The organizers said that more than 800 Russian and international companies had registered to exhibit with military attendees expected from states allied with or at least sympathetic to the current regime, including China, Iran, North Korea as well as Middle Eastern and African countries.
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The event which was popular with families as well as serious participants has not previously been canceled even during the highest points of the Covid-19 pandemic although it has noticeably been reduced in length and scope in recent years – being reduced from a full week to three days in 2024.
The Ukrainian media including Militarniy and RBC Ukraine said the cancelation had been made against the backdrop of recent Ukrainian drone attacks. In May, a probable Ukrainian long-range “Lyuty” drone was used to hit a target on the territory of the Patriot military park.
Recent suggestions that Kyiv’s ability to carry out long range strikes would be enhanced using German funds in the near future along with reports, later denied, that US President Donald Trump encouraged Ukraine to attack major Russian cities including the capital to “put pressure” on President Vladimir Putin may explain the reluctance to provide a “plum target” for Kyiv – only time will tell if Armiya2025 has been fully canceled or not.
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