Moscow under attack: Ukrainian drones disrupt flights prior to significant military procession
Rewritten Article:
Anew Round of Drone Attacks Disrupts Moscow: The Nightly Uski Siege
Moscow, the Russian capital, has become a hotspot again as Ukraine launched a series of drone assaults for the second night in a row on May 6, significantly interrupting the city's peace and preparations for the grand Victory Day military parade taking place on May 9. This unexpected escalation comes a day before China's Xi Jinping, and other world leaders, are due to attend the event.
Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, disclosed in a Telegram post on May 7 that more than 19 Ukrainian drones were successfully destroyed on their way to the capital city. The night prior, Russian air defenses downed four drones near Moscow. No immediate reports of severe damages or casualties surfaced, but debris from the downed drones landed on a major highway. In response, authorities suspended flights temporarily at four Moscow airports, as a safety precaution. As of now, some of the affected airports have resumed regular operations.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, on May 7, 105 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russian territories, with 19 drones downed around Moscow. The ongoing drone attacks on the city form part of a broader pattern, as hundreds of unmanned aircraft have been spotted invading Russian airspace in recent days.
The latest attack on Moscow came ahead of Xi's planned visit to Moscow on May 8, for a three-day state visit. During his visit, the Chinese leader is scheduled to participate in the May 9 Victory Day celebrations. A total of 29 leaders, including Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Brazil), To Lam (Vietnam), and Aleksandr Lukashenko (Belarus), are slated to attend the event. Victory Day celebrations are a significant highlight in the Russian President Vladimir Putin's calendar, as the occasion has, historically, served to rally public support, and showcase the Russian military prowess.
In contrast, Kyiv has called on allies across the globe not to participate in Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the participation of foreign military personnel in such events would be a "desecration of the memory of the victory over Nazism." Troops from at least 13 countries, including Azerbaijan, Vietnam, China, Egypt, and others, are believed to participate in the upcoming parade.
Putin had previously declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, claiming the announcement was based on "humanitarian considerations." Despite this, the Ukrainian forces have reported more than 1,856 attacks from the Russian side along the borderfront since April 29, resulting in the death of at least 46 civilians and injuring another 337. On May 5, a Russian missile strike on the outskirts of Sumy, in central Ukraine, claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy, in addition to injuring eight others.
Meanwhile, the White House has repeatedly urged a permanent ceasefire in the region, while exerting diplomatic pressure on Russia and Ukraine to reach a settlement that will bring an end to the conflict. However, progress on the negotiations has been slow, causing increasing anxiety regarding an enduring resolution.
As a response to circling tension, the authorities in Russia have called off Victory Day celebrations in several regions, including Sevastopol and Krasnador. Both cities have faced increased security risks due to the prolonged air threats from Ukraine, making it unfeasible to proceed with the Parade for the safety of local residents and participants.
Amid growing tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded answers from China about the involvement of two Chinese fighter pilots captured by the Ukrainian forces in early April. The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any active participation of its citizens in the military actions of any party. Tensions have also heightened as Ukraine claimed to have shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea, using a seaborne drone for the first time.
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This story has been updated with additional information. CNN reporters Anna Chernova, Victoria Butenko, Kosta Gak, Sophie Tanno, Darya Tarasova, Daria Tarasova-Markina, Edward Upright, Sana Noor Haq, and Eve Brennan contributed reporting.
- Despite the ongoing drone attacks in Moscow from Ukraine, the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, is still scheduled to attend the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9.
- The Moscow Mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, revealed that more than 19 Ukrainian drones were successfully destroyed near the capital city on May 7.
- The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 105 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russian territories on May 7, with 19 drones downed around Moscow.
- In contrast to the scheduled visits of world leaders for the Victory Day celebrations, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges allies not to participate in Russia's Victory Day parade, considering it a "desecration of the memory of the victory over Nazism."
- Amidst the escalating tensions, the authorities in Russia have called off Victory Day celebrations in several regions, such as Sevastopol and Krasnador, due to increased security risks from Ukrainian air threats.
