--- title: "«Dronitsa-2026» Cancelled: Great Novgorod Fears Ukrainian Strikes" description: "🚨 The All-Russian UAV operators gathering «Dronitsa-2026» in Veliky Novgorod has been cancelled due to the threat of an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Organizers fear a combined strike and do not want to divert air defense resources. Against the backdrop of strikes on Novorossiysk and Sevastopol, this event shows the growing vulnerability of Russian rear areas. #Dronitsa2026 #Ukraine #UAV #VelikyNovgorod" date: 2026-08-12T18:46:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/dronitsa-2026-cancelled-in-veliky-novgorod tags: [ukraine-war, drones, russia, military, novgorod] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # «Dronitsa-2026» Cancelled: Great Novgorod Fears Ukrainian Strikes ![A soldier holds a reconnaissance drone against a field backdrop, illustrating the cancellation of 'Dronitsa-2026' in Veliky Novgorod due to fears of Ukrainian strikes](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/12/dronitsa-2026-otmenena-v-velikom-novgorode/dronitsa-2026-otmenena-v-velikom-novgorode-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The «Dronitsa-2026» gathering in Veliky Novgorod has been cancelled due to the threat of an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. - Organizers fear a combined strike using drones and ballistic means. - The cancellation of the gathering is linked to the need to save air defense and special services resources. - On the night of August 12, Ukrainian drones struck Novorossiysk, Crimea, and Sevastopol. In Veliky Novgorod, where a large-scale event for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators was planned, events took a sharp turn. The All-Russian gathering «Dronitsa-2026», which was scheduled to take place at the end of August, has been postponed indefinitely. Organizers, citing data from the «Analytical Center of the Coordination Center for Assistance to Novorossiya», stated that they received information about an impending attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. ### Fear of a Combined Attack According to reports, the event organizers are concerned not only about a standard drone attack but also about a combined strike. The statement mentions «new ballistic capabilities» and even so-called «bio-drones-terrorists». This wide range of threats voiced by Russian sources indicates a high level of anxiety in the region and a lack of trust in their own security system. The cancellation of the gathering is explained by the need not to divert air defense and special services resources to protect the event, which, according to the organizers, could expose critically important objects in the Novgorod region and neighboring areas. ### Context: Escalation of the Drone War in August 2026 The decision to cancel the gathering is not an isolated event. It fits into the context of increased activity of Ukrainian drones across the entire territory of the Russian Federation. On the night of August 12, Ukrainian forces struck Novorossiysk, where four military ships at a naval base were damaged. Additionally, a relay for controlling «Geran» drones was hit in Crimea, seriously hampering the coordination of Russian strikes. In Sevastopol, also on the night of August 12, powerful explosions were heard, the result of a new drone attack. ### Contradictory Data There is a clear contradiction between official statements and the actual situation. On the one hand, Russian sources claim a «planned» postponement of the event due to security threats and the need to save air defense resources. On the other hand, the actual cancellation of the gathering, which was supposed to be a demonstration of the power of Russian UAV operators, looks like an admission of vulnerability. Earlier, on the night of April 5, Nizhny Novgorod was subjected to an attack by three waves of drones, which led to more than 20 explosions and mass power outages. These facts cast doubt on the ability of Russian forces to ensure security even in territory considered «rear». ### Consequences for the Military and Political Situation The cancellation of «Dronitsa-2026» could have serious consequences for the morale of Russian UAV operators and for the image of the Russian military machine. The event was supposed to be a platform for exchanging experience and demonstrating achievements, but its cancellation, caused by fear of Ukrainian strikes, undermines confidence in one's own strength. Moreover, this event could be used by the Ukrainian side as proof of the effectiveness of their drone strategy and the ability to destabilize the situation deep within Russian territory. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [All-Russian gathering of combat UAV operators to be held in Veliky Novgorod](https://tass.ru/obschestvo/27839301) - Источник подтверждает проведение слета, но не упоминает об отмене. Отмена подтверждается другими источниками (РБК-Украина, Настоящее время). ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why was the «Dronitsa-2026» gathering cancelled? **A:** The gathering was cancelled due to the threat of an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the need to save air defense resources. ### Q: Which objects were attacked on the night of August 12? **A:** On the night of August 12, objects in Novorossiysk, Crimea, and Sevastopol were attacked. ### Q: What are «bio-drones-terrorists»? **A:** This is a term used by Russian sources to describe an alleged threat, but specific details are not disclosed.