In Photos: Russia Flaunts Mascots, Cars and Patriotism at Its Premier Economic Forum
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia's flagship investment conference, is a fixture on the calendar of the country's political and business elite.
In recent years, SPIEF has also become a platform for showcasing Russian industry and technology, with elaborate displays and events aimed at projecting confidence despite Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation over the invasion of Ukraine.
Here's a look at what went on at this year's expo:
In recent years, SPIEF has also become a platform for showcasing Russian industry and technology, with elaborate displays and events aimed at projecting confidence despite Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation over the invasion of Ukraine.
Here's a look at what went on at this year's expo:
Cars are seen parked near banners with branding for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) at the forum's venue as black smoke rises in distance in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in St. Petersburg early Wednesday morning as officials gathered for a flagship economic forum in the city, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said "several" infrastructure facilities were damaged, but no one was killed in the attack.
Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in St. Petersburg early Wednesday morning as officials gathered for a flagship economic forum in the city, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said "several" infrastructure facilities were damaged, but no one was killed in the attack.
AFP
Vladimir Putin at the SPIEF 2026 plenary session.
Kirill Kazachkov / Roscongress
An installation reading "15 evil spectators of Russia Today" and featuring bas-reliefs depicting Western politicians and businessmen is seen at the stand of the Russian state TV-station Russia Today.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
A forum participant on a Minsk Ranger 200 motorcycle.
Anna Aleksashkina / Roscongress
The larger-than-life faces of Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy and Alexander Pushkin at the VTB Bank stand.
Aleksandr Zholobov / Roscongress
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress
The Promsyazbank defense lender's stand.
Alexander Zholobov / Roscongress
The new Volga K50 crossover.
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress
Misha, the bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, on display at the Russian Olympic Committee's stand.
Sergei Kulakov / Roscongress
Runners get ready at the starting line of the Fight and Win 5k race at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The race attracted a diverse field of competitors, including a giant pink Labubu.
The race attracted a diverse field of competitors, including a giant pink Labubu.
Igor Rodin / Roscongress
Russian far-right ideologue Alexander Dugin.
Sergei Kulakov / Roscongress
The new model of the Aurus Senat car on display at SPIEF.
Kirill Kazachkov / Roscongress
The republic of Dagestan's stand.
Alexei Rudakov / Roscongress
Tatyana Kim, the founder of Wildberries and head of Wildberries & Russ (RWB).
Sergei Lukin / Roscongress
The Fonbet Roscongress Hockey Cup held on the sidelines of SPIEF.
Nafis Sirazetdinov / Roscongress
A forum attendee wears a kokoshnik, a traditional Russian headdress.
Viktoria Lamzina / Roscongress
The RT stand features a giant RT-branded bowling ball looming over pins labeled "Sanctions," "Censhorship," "Fakes" and "Russophobia."
Yulia Yegorova / Roscongress
Forum participants hold up bags shaped like matryoshka dolls.
Sergei Kulakov / Roscongress
An installation reading "15 evil spectators of Russia Today" featuring the faces of Western politicians and businessmen is seen at the Russian state-funded network RT's stand.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
