Ukrainian drones have prompted temporary airport closures in Moscow as preparations unfold for a major military parade commemorating the end of World War II, which is likely to attract international leaders. This follows coordinated attacks on the lead-up to the annual May 9 Victory Day parade, marking 80 years since the Allies triumphed over Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
Vladimir Putin proposed a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10 to coincide with the celebrations. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized this idea as selfish and ineffective unless it extended for 30 days, a suggestion the Russian president has disregarded.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobianin, indicated that at least 19 drones approached the city from various angles. Reports from social media linked to Russian security suggested one drone struck an apartment building near a significant roadway, causing damage but no injuries, according to Sobianin.
“Emergency Services are on site following the incident,” Sobianin noted. He mentioned debris falling onto a crucial highway into the city but didn’t elaborate on the damage to residences.
In response to these attacks, Russian aviation authorities, Rosaviatia, temporarily suspended flights at all four airports serving the Moscow area, with some regional airports also shutting down operations.
Local officials reported that at least 18 drones were spotted in the Belgorod region, adjacent to Ukraine. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv regarding these recent incursions.
The drone offensive from Ukraine seems geared toward unsettling the Kremlin ahead of the May 9 festivities. Zelenskyy had previously warned that Ukraine “cannot be held responsible for whatever happens” to foreign dignitaries attending Moscow’s commemorative events.
Security measures in Moscow have intensified in anticipation of Victory Day, with residents experiencing significant internet disruptions. The Russian state media outlet TASS reported that key facilities in the capital have been under heightened protection, with some telegram channels indicating that air defense systems were redeployed to safeguard the city.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, previously accused Zelenskyy of threatening the May 9 events. In contrast, former President Dmitry Medvedev suggested that if a “demonstration of victory” were to occur, it could be merely “10.”
There’s currently no sign that Ukraine will agree to the three-day ceasefire proposed by Russia, with Zelenskyy dismissing it as an “unsafe” tactic aimed at ensuring the success of the May 9 celebrations. The United States is advocating for Moscow to consider a longer, one-month ceasefire, even as Trump recently appeared to endorse the Kremlin’s proposal in a press briefing.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reported ongoing combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region, even as Russian authorities claimed to have thwarted any Ukrainian advances there.
In a Telegram update, Ukrainian military sources indicated that their units were engaged in clashes with Russian forces, utilizing artillery and air-dropped munitions. Local Russian officials reportedly acknowledged Ukrainian gains near the border, with Vasily Khudyakov, head of Glushkovo, stating that Russian troops had begun evacuating residents due to worsening conditions.
“Given the deteriorating situation in the village, residents must be temporarily evacuated,” Khudyakov shared on social media.
