Russia alleges drone assault on Moscow by Ukraine, disclosed prior to May 9 celebrations, with expected visitors from China and Brazil among others.
The Russian capital, Moscow, was under threat as reports emerged of a drone attack aimed at disrupting preparations for a major military parade. Moscow's air defenses, led by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, intercepted four drones heading towards the city. The assault, scheduled around celebrations marking the end of World War II, also triggered a drone attack over Bryansk and Kaluga regions, resulting in the downing of 22 drones.
President Vladimir Putin had previously called for a temporary 72-hour ceasefire, starting May 8, to mark the historic event. However, Ukraine advocated for a longer truce of 30 days, aiming for a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict that began when Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
Air traffic at Moscow's Domodedovo airport was briefly halted over concerns for safety. Meanwhile, the capital, Kyiv, suffered casualties as drones rained down overnight, with at least 11 civilians, including two children, wounded. Cherkasy, another Ukrainian city, was targeted with reported property damage and injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy deemed the 72-hour truce proposed by Putin as "unserious." He accused Russia of playing games and using the truce to create a pleasant atmosphere to distract from its ongoing violence against Ukraine. Zelenskyy reiterated that he would not guarantee the safety of foreign dignitaries and emphasized that Russia was responsible for its own security.
In response to the attacks, Putin had stated that Russian forces would respond if the country came under attack during the truce. Despite Putin's declaration, Russia rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire offered by the United States.
In a display of strategic aggression, Ukrainian forces allegedly targeted Russia's western Kursk region. There was no immediate comment from either Russia or Ukraine regarding the skirmish, but war bloggers reported that Ukrainian forces had broken through the border in two places.
The incident serves as a prime example of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides constantly pushing the boundaries in their struggle for dominance and control.
The breaking news of drone attacks in Moscow, Bryansk, and Kaluga regions has raised concerns about the fragile ceasefire proposed by President Putin to mark the end of World War II. Amid the war and conflicts, the political tension between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with Ukrainian forces allegedly targeting Russia's western Kursk region. This incident underscores the ongoing general-news story of the economy-disrupting conflict that began in 2022, as both countries seemingly play a dangerous game of war and-conflicts, striving for dominance and control.
