According to intelligence from the UK, Russia has made the decision to cancel its highly anticipated premier air show, MAKS. This cancellation comes as a result of a combination of factors including international isolation, safety concerns, sanctions, and turmoil within its aerospace sector.

MAKS, a biennial event near Moscow, serves as a platform to showcase Russia’s civil and military aerospace capabilities and plays a significant role in securing export customers. The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed the importance of this air show.

The cancellation of MAKS carries significant implications. Firstly, it would have been the first air show held since the outbreak of the war. Intelligence suggests that Russia opted to cancel the event due to concerns about potential reputational damage if there was a reduced presence of international delegations. Additionally, recent drone attacks in Moscow raised security concerns, contributing to the decision.

Russia’s aerospace industry has experienced considerable challenges since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The industry is grappling with far-reaching international sanctions, and General Sergei Surovikin, the commander of Russia’s aerospace forces, is currently absent from public view, further adding to the chaos within the sector.

Since the rebellion led by the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization, where they advanced towards Moscow before ultimately retreating, General Sergei Surovikin, who had been acting as a link between Russia’s defense ministry and Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been missing. There are indications that Surovikin may have been detained due to his association with Prigozhin.