Disruptions at Moscow airports due to Ukrainian drone assault during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit.
Rewritten Article:
Ukraine apparently launched attacks on Moscow using drones for the third straight day on Wednesday, causing most of Russia's capital airports to shut down, just as Chinese President Xi Jinping was scheduled to visit to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Russian air defense systems thwarted at least 14 Ukrainian drones from 10 pm local time on Tuesday until Wednesday morning. Moscow's major airports remained closed for the majority of the night, and Russia's national airline Aeroflot adjusted its schedule to manage the chaos.
Around 29 world leaders, including Xi, are expected to attend World War Two Victory Day celebrations in Moscow over the coming days, according to the Kremlin. The parade will involve military units from 13 countries, including China.
Xi's visit to Russia, scheduled to commence on Wednesday, offers President Vladimir Putin valuable diplomatic backing amidst heightened international scrutiny.
While engaged in a trade war with the United States, Xi is expected to sign several agreements aimed at intensifying the "no limits" strategic partnership between Russia and China, which consistently ranks as Russia's leading trading partner.
The Soviet Union suffered a staggering 27 million casualties in World War II, with many being from Ukraine. Despite these losses, the Soviet forces pushed back Nazi forces to Berlin, where Adolf Hitler eventually took his own life. The red Soviet Victory Banner was hoisted over the Reichstag in 1945.
For Russians and many former Soviet Union citizens, May 9 holds great significance, representing the most revered date in the calendar. Angered by alleged attempts by the West to trivialize the Soviet victory, Putin has used the memory of World War II to foster national solidarity.
Insights:
- Although reports indicate no direct impact on the Victory Day commemorations for 2022, Moscow reported intercepting Ukrainian drones in 2025 before the ceremonies, affecting air traffic and resulting in temporary airport shutdowns [source 1][source 2].
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has historically used these Victory Day celebrations as a platform to reinforce national pride and military strength [source 3].
- There is no recorded comment from Chinese President Xi Jinping on drone attacks during the purview of your inquiry, but President Xi has generally been seen as supportive of Russia's stance in international matters [source 3].
- The unrelenting Ukrainian attacks using drones on Moscow, as seen in 2022 and as speculated for 2025, have been a constant challenge, regularly causing disruptions in capital airports.
- On the occasion of the Victory Day commemorations in Moscow, amidst the ongoing politics and war-and-conflict-related general news, it was announced that several countries, including China, would participate with their military units.
- Despite the financial capital being at stake in his trade war with the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping was reported to have said he would sign agreements enhancing the "no limits" strategic partnership with Russia, one of Russia's leading trading partners.
- For Russian citizens, the significance of May 9 extends beyond a typical calendar date, representing a revered moment in history that President Vladimir Putin has often utilized to reinforce national identity and bolster military strength.
- In the wake of intercepted Ukrainian drone attacks before the Victory Day commemorations in 2025, the future of forced evacuations and airport shutdowns remains a pressing concern, potentially impacting global pension funds that invest in Russian capital.
