Moscow's international airports momentarily halt operations following Ukraine drone assaults.
Amid chaos on May 6, 2025, international airports circling Moscow halts flights like dominos tumbling, all rattled by a flurry of Ukrainian drones. This abrupt halt in services ensnared Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo, leaving travelers stranded[1][2][3]. The drone war wasn't limited to airports alone—9 other regional airports in Russia felt the brunt[3].
Russian air defenses worked overtime, intercepting over 100 Ukrainian drones, four of which were targeted for the heart of Moscow[2][4]. Such aggression threatened a planned 72-hour ceasefire unilaterally declared by President Putin. This ceasefire aimed to coincide with Moscow's Victory Day celebrations, marking its victory over Nazi Germany in 1945—a significant secular holiday[2].
This year's celebration sees the gathering of world leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for the 80th-anniversary parade and a retrospective of thousands of troops, tanks, and missiles[2]. Despite calls from Ukraine to steer clear of the parade, no foreign military representatives are officially confirmed[2].
Ukraine vehemently objected to the presence of foreign military personnel, viewing it as a desecration of the memory of the victory over Nazism[2]. Security concerns were palpable, with Russian officials advising residents to avoid fireworks and internet access potentially limited during the celebrations[2].
A ceasefire signed by Putin looks tenuous as Russia and Ukraine continue to trade blows. Ukraine has used home-grown drones to compensate for its smaller army and initiate long-range strikes[2]. Meanwhile, Russia has employed Shahed drones, 3,000-pound glide bombs, artillery, and missiles in their offensive[2].
Casualties mounted across Russia, with two injured in the Kursk region and some damage reported in Voronezh region[2]. The events unfolded amid allegations that Ukrainian air force fired 136 strike and decoy drones overnight[2]. One woman perished in Sumy, three in Kramatorsk, and a resident in Odesa region as a result of these drone attacks[2].
- Amid the flurry of Ukrainian drones that disrupted international airports around Moscow on May 6, 2025, it was confirmed that President Putin had unilaterally declared a 72-hour ceasefire, aimed to coincide with Moscow's Victory Day celebrations.
- The planned ceasefire, however, seemed tenuous as Russia and Ukraine continued to trade blows, with Ukraine using home-grown drones for long-range strikes and Russia employing Shahed drones, 3,000-pound glide bombs, artillery, and missiles in their offensive.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have become a significant topic in global politics, with world leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attending Moscow's 80th-anniversary parade, marking its victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
- Despite calls from Ukraine to steer clear of the parade, no foreign military representatives were officially confirmed to be present, causing apprehension among Ukrainian officials who viewed their presence as a desecration of the memory of the victory over Nazism.
- In the wake of the drone war, air defenses in Russia worked overtime, intercepting over 100 Ukrainian drones, four of which were targeted for the heart of Moscow, posing a threat to the planned ceasefire.
- The chaos extended beyond Moscow, with nine other regional airports in Russia feeling the brunt of the drone attacks, and casualties mounting across Russia, while allegations pointed to Ukrainian airforce firing 136 strike and decoy drones overnight.
