Drone Attack on Moscow and Russia's Response: An Unsettling Incident Ahead of the Victor Day Parade
Ukraine Launches Drone Assault on Moscow Prior to May 9 Celebrations, According to Russian Reports, with International Guests Expected
The Russian capital, Moscow, has found itself in the crosshairs of another drone attack, just days before it hosts a significant military parade marking the end of World War II. On May 6, Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted four drones flying towards the city, as per Mayor Sergei Sobyanin's statement on Monday.
This attack seems to be an attempt to ruffle Moscow's feathers as it prepares for events commemorating the Great Patriotic War, otherwise known as World War II in other regions. President Vladimir Putin has called for a 72-hour ceasefire, starting May 8, in observance of the occasion. However, Ukraine has countered this proposal with a demand for a 30-day truce aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict that began when Russia invaded in February 2022.
The drone attack didn't lead to any reported injuries or damage; however, it did cause a brief halt to air traffic at Moscow's Domodedovo airport. Aviation regulator Rosaviatsia confirmed the suspension for approximately 90 minutes overnight, to ensure air safety. Elsewhere, Russian officials claimed that 17 drones were downed over the Bryansk region and five more over Kaluga.
Following the attack, Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 42 of 116 drones launched by Russia during an overnight attack on Monday. At least 11 people, including two children, were injured in the capital, Kyiv, during this attack, according to Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, who posted the information on social media.
A Cynical Humanitarian Gesture?
The Kremlin labeled Putin's three-day unilateral ceasefire a humanitarian gesture. Russian authorities have stated that military operations will pause during the truce, allowing world leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic, and Slovakia's Robert Fico, to attend the parade in Moscow. However, Russia has rejected the United States' unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the 72-hour truce, citing it as "unserious" and accusing Moscow of playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere for Putin's exit from isolation on May 9. Zelenskyy also expressed concerns about the safety of foreign dignitaries, emphasizing that Russia was responsible for its own security. The situation is a prime example of "cynicism of the highest order," according to Zelenskyy, writing on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday.
Putin initially stated that Russian forces would respond if the country was fired upon during the proposed ceasefire. Despite Russia's proposed ceasefire from May 8, it has continued to bombard Ukraine, with Kyiv being a prime target. On Monday, Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 42 of 116 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack.
Meanwhile, war bloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces attacked Russia's western Kursk region, smashing through the border as per several sources. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has provided an official comment on these allegations.
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- The latest breaking news in war-and-conflicts is the drone attack on Moscow, just days before the city hosts a significant military parade.
- Thedrone attack seems to be an attempt to escalate tensions as Moscow prepares for events commemorating World War II.
- In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv city military administration, confirmed that at least 11 people, including two children, were injured during a drone attack in Kyiv.
- Following the drone attack on Moscow, flights at Moscow's Domodedovo airport were halted for approximately 90 minutes to ensure air safety.
- The Kremlin labeled Putin's three-day unilateral ceasefire a humanitarian gesture, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed it as "unserious" and accused Moscow of playing games.
- Stakeholders involved in the politics of the region, including China's Xi Jinping and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are urgently advised to keep up with the latest news alerts as the situation continues to unfold in the war-and-conflicts section of general-news outlets such as Al Jazeera.
