For the second night in a row, Ukrainian drones have launched attacks on Moscow, prompting a temporary shutdown of the city’s airports, according to reports from Russia’s military sources.
These drone strikes come just ahead of Moscow’s planned commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and its allies’ victory over Germany in World War II. In light of this significant event, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed this proposal as self-serving. He argued that a ceasefire would only be meaningful if extended to 30 days, aligning with a US-backed initiative that Putin has yet to acknowledge.
Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that at least 19 Ukrainian drones approached the capital from multiple directions. Social media channels linked to Russian security services indicated that one drone struck an apartment building near a major thoroughfare in southern Moscow, causing damage to some windows. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
Emergency responders are currently on-site at the locations affected, where debris has fallen onto a critical highway leading into the city. However, there have been no reports of residential buildings being directly impacted.
In the Voronezh region, which borders Ukraine in Russia’s southwest, around 18 drones were confirmed by the regional governor.
Rosaviatsia, the aviation authority in Russia, has temporarily grounded flights at all four airports serving Moscow, with additional regional airports also facing similar closures.
On the previous Tuesday, Russian air defense units successfully intercepted and destroyed four Ukrainian drones heading toward Moscow, resulting in no reported damage or injuries. Russian officials typically assert that all incoming drones have been neutralized, attributing any damage to debris fallout from these interceptions.
As of now, Kyiv has not issued a response regarding the recent drone strikes. Ukraine maintains that its drone operations are aimed at critical infrastructure vital to Moscow’s military efforts, serving as a counter to Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian territory, including civilian areas and energy facilities.
Back in March, a significant wave of drone attacks—91 in total—targeted the Moscow region, leading to three casualties, various fires, and disruptions to flights and rail services. This marked one of the most extensive assaults on Moscow since the onset of the conflict, with the Russian defense ministry reporting a total of 337 drones launched during that episode.
Additionally, Ukraine’s military has been engaged in combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region over the past 24 hours, responding to Russian offensives and facing artillery and aerial bomb attacks.
Former US Vice President Mike Pence has criticized the Trump administration for its inconsistent support of Ukraine, highlighting Putin’s ambitions for dominance over the country. Pence underscored the necessity of maintaining pressure on Russia to comply with ceasefire agreements and to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In summary, the situation in Ukraine is intensifying, marked by drone attacks on Moscow and ongoing military confrontations across various regions. The role of international pressure is vital in mediating the conflict and bolstering Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. (This report includes contributions from Reuters.)
