Ukrainian Drones Target Moscow as City Prepares for Military Parade

Ukrainian Drone Strikes Disrupt Moscow Flights Ahead of Victory Day Parade

Ukrainian drones struck Moscow for the second consecutive night, forcing flight suspensions at four of the capital’s airports and disrupting preparations for Russia’s annual Victory Day parade.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed in a Telegram post that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight, following a similar attack the night before when four drones were shot down near the city. Although there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, falling debris from the intercepted drones landed on a major highway.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported that a total of 105 drones were launched across the country overnight, all of which were neutralised.

The attacks come just ahead of a three-day state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to join Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders at the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow’s Red Square. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vietnam’s President To Lam, and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko are also scheduled to attend.

Victory Day, which marks the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany, is a key moment in the Russian political calendar. The Kremlin often uses the event to project national unity and military strength.

However, escalating security threats have already led to the cancellation of parades in parts of southern Russia, including Sevastopol in occupied Crimea and the city of Krasnodar. Officials cited safety concerns, with nightly air alerts becoming a norm in those regions.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed head of Sevastopol, confirmed that all commemorative events were cancelled under orders from the defence ministry. Similarly, Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev warned against endangering citizens by proceeding with mass gatherings.

Ceasefire Dispute and Escalating Tensions

The drone strikes follow President Putin’s recent announcement of a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine for humanitarian purposes to coincide with Victory Day—a gesture met with scepticism in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the limited truce, calling instead for a meaningful 30-day ceasefire.

Despite Moscow’s declared pause in hostilities, Ukraine claims Russian forces have carried out more than 1,850 attacks along the frontlines since April 29, resulting in at least 43 civilian deaths and over 300 injuries.

The White House has reiterated calls for a permanent ceasefire as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. Meanwhile, Zelensky warned visiting dignitaries that Ukraine "cannot be held responsible for what occurs within Russian territory" as the conflict rages on.

In his Saturday night address, Zelensky added: “We won’t play games to create a convenient atmosphere for Putin to re-emerge from isolation on May 9.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry has denounced the comments as a threat.

Drone Warfare and Growing Chinese Tensions

Ukraine has increasingly relied on drones to counterbalance Russia’s superior firepower. On Saturday, Kyiv claimed to have downed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea using a seaborne drone—a reported first.

Additionally, a Ukrainian military official told CNN that Kyiv maintains a presence in Russia’s Kursk region, despite Moscow’s claims of having fully reclaimed the territory.

Tensions with China have also deepened after Zelensky revealed that two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia were captured in early April. Beijing has denied any involvement and reiterated its call for citizens to avoid participation in foreign military conflicts.

As drone strikes intensify and foreign leaders prepare to attend Russia’s most significant national event, the balance between symbolism, security, and geopolitical stakes continues to shift sharply.