Uncertainty over Safety: Potential Risk for World Leaders During Russian Victory Day Amidst Ukraine Drone Capabilities
Aggressive Drone Strikes on Moscow Amplify Tensions Before Victory Day
Moscow is copping it from Ukraine's drone assaults, days before the city hosts Russia's most major national event, Victory Day. This week, the Russian capital typically droplets festivities to celebrate the defeat of Nazi forces in World War II.
Reworked Parade Planning
Russia honors May 9 as Victory Day, marking their victory against Nazi Germany. The day consists of an extensive military parade, with leaders from Russia's allies regularly attending. However, this year, the countdown to the day has been tainted by a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has warned foreign leaders planning to attend the event in Moscow may face unforeseen dangers.
Moscow's Encounter with Drones
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported on Tuesday that Russia's air defense systems shot down 19 drones aimed at Moscow from various directions. For the second consecutive night, drones were intercepted, and the city's airports temporarily closed due to safety concerns. Additionally, Russian officials reported the interception of 17 drones over the Bryansk region, and five more over Kaluga.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a 72-hour ceasefire, effective from May 8 to May 10, yet these attacks continued. Ukraine's drone assaults illustrate Ukraine's dire circumstances on the battlefield and uncertainties over future US support[2]. There are also concerns about European support[2] and significant manpower shortages on the battlefield as soldiers desert the army[2].
A Display of Ukraine's Resolve
The drone attacks serve as a demonstration of Ukraine's determination to persist, even in trying circumstances. While the attacks might not proffer any significant strategic changes, they provide fiery evidence of Ukraine's ongoing struggle[2].
Delving into the History of Victory Day
Victory Day is recognized in Russia and other former Soviet nations on May 9, denoting the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II, infamously known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia. The day typically witnesses a grand military parade, passing Moscow's Red Square.
The war began in 1939 when Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. Britain entered the fray in support of Poland as part of a bilateral defense treaty. The following year, Germany initiated Operation Barbarossa, an invasion of the Soviet Union[3]. In the ensuing conflict, the Soviet Union experienced immense casualties, losing a staggering 24 million lives, including over 8.7 million military personnel[3].
Despite catastrophic losses, the Soviet Union vanquished Nazi Germany and marched on Berlin in May 1945, bringing an end to the war in Europe. Japan surrendered in August following the US's atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The US and its allies celebrate Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, on May 8, whereas Ukraine shifted its official remembrance of World War II victory to May 8 in 2023, following a law signed by President Zelenskyy[3].
Victory Day holds immense significance for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he continually draws parallels between the ongoing war in Ukraine and World War II. Addressing his countrymen during the 2022 Victory Day speech, Putin referred to Russian troops in Ukraine as those "fighting for the motherland, so that no one will forget the lessons of World War II, and there will be no place in the world for hangmen, executioners, and Nazis."
International Leaders En Route to Russia
Expected attendees at the Victory Day Parade include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Vietnamese President To Lam, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. The presence of these leaders offers a notable demonstration of the West's inability to ostracize Putin, despite the barrage of sanctions the US and its allies have imposed on Russia throughout the war[1].
Zelenskyy's Warning to Foreign Leaders
Zelenskyy stated, "Our position is very simple for all countries traveling to Russia on May 9: We cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They provide you with security; therefore, we won't give you any guarantees. Because we don't know what Russia will do these days." He also expressed concerns about potential provocations by Russia, such as arson, bombings, or other hostile actions, to blame Ukraine for the chaos[1].
Preparation for May 9
Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian President and deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, responded with a warning: "In the case of a real provocation on Victory Day, no one guarantees that May 10 will come to Kyiv." Speculation mounted about the possibility of Ukraine launching attacks on Moscow on May 9, with experts suggesting that the intended drone attacks could potentially target the leaders visiting for the event[2].
[1] en.ria.ru/20230504/1801692338.html[2] www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-says-cannot-provide-safety-guarantees-russian-leaders-visiting-2023-05-03/[3] www.britannica.com/event/Victory-Day-Russia[4] www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/7/ukraine-victory-day-putin-drone-attack-attorneys-general-prosecutors-crimean-protesters
- The breaking news of drone attacks on Moscow amplifies tensions before Russia's Victory Day, a day that commemorates their victory against Nazi Germany.
- This year, the lead-up to Victory Day is marked by a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to foreign leaders planning to attend, as they may face unforeseen dangers.
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported the interception of 19 drones aimed at Moscow, and airports temporarily closed due to safety concerns, as Russian officials also reported the interception of drones over the Bryansk and Kaluga regions.
- Despite Russia's President Vladimir Putin calling for a 72-hour ceasefire, the drone attacks continued, illustrating Ukraine's determination to persist amidst challenging circumstances.
- Celebrating Victory Day in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin regularly draws parallels between the ongoing war in Ukraine and World War II, viewing the troops in Ukraine as those fighting for the motherland.
- Some international leaders, such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, are expected to attend the Victory Day Parade, demonstrating the West's inability to ostracize Putin despite the numerous sanctions imposed.
