Ukrainian drone attacks cause closures at multiple Russian airports
Bustling Moscow under Suspected Drone Attack:
It's the wee hours of a Wednesday, and the air in Moscow is thick with tension. Make that suspicion. A series of drone attacks supposedly took place, striking the city and causing quite a stir.
According to Russia's authorities, this incident occurred just days before the grand commemoration of the triumph over Nazi Germany. It's an interesting timing, isn't it? Moscow, bracing itself to host a grandiose military parade, complete with Vladimir Putin and approximately 20 foreign leaders, finds itself targeted.
Reports suggest that the city's air defenses managed to shoot down 19 drones. Debris from these downed drones fell on a major avenue south of Moscow, thankfully causing no casualties. However, one can't help but wonder if this is the new normal for Moscow, despite the aggressive offensive launched by the Russian army in Ukraine earlier this year.
Russian media showcased images of a broken supermarket window and a charred residential building facade, offering a glimpse into the chaos that could have been.
Several airports in Moscow, including Cheremetevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky, briefly halted operations due to the attack. Other major cities along the Volga, such as Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saratov, and Volgograd, experienced temporary interruptions in airport operations.
Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, is particularly significant. The city witnessed one of the bloodiest battles in history, where the 6th German army was defeated in 1942–1943, marking a turning point in World War II.
The governors of Voronezh and Penza reported the interception of 18 and 10 Ukrainian drones in their territories, respectively, with no casualties. However, in the Kursk region, two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, were injured in a Ukrainian attack, and power outages were reported.
The Kremlin has stated that Russia will observe a three-day truce, from May 8 to 10, to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Yet, it remains unclear whether Ukraine intends to reciprocate this peaceful gesture announced by President Vladimir Putin.
Interestingly, on a Sunday night not too long ago, Russia claimed that a drone attack targeting Moscow was repelled. What's worth mentioning is that Moscow is an unusual target, given its tranquility despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. On the Ukrainian side, a Russian drone strike claimed a life in the Odessa region, as per the regional governor.
However, it's essential to note that the information provided does not supporting a significant drone attack on Moscow specifically on May 9, 2023. The most relevant events seem to have occurred in May 2025, when Moscow and other Russian regions faced multiple drone attacks, causing casualties and temporary airport closures.
- Despite the unexpected drone attack in Moscow on May 9, 2023, the Kremlin announced a three-day truce to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany.
- Moscow, known for its tranquility despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, was targeted by drones, causing the temporary halt of operations in several airports, including Cheremetevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky.
- General news reports suggested that Russia's air defenses managed to shoot down 19 drones, but debris from the downed drones fell on a major avenue south of Moscow, raising questions about the new normal for the city.
- Amidst the war-and-conflicts politics in the world, it's interesting to note that Moscow was targeted by drones, despite the aggression launched by the Russian army in Ukraine earlier this year, highlighting the rise of drone attacks in city skies.
