Ukrainian Drones Disrupt Moscow’s Major Military Parade, Grounding Flights: What You Need to Know

Ukrainian drones struck Moscow again, disrupting flights at several airports. This attack came two nights in a row as Moscow prepared for a major military parade set to feature significant world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping.

Moscow’s Mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, reported that Russian forces intercepted at least 19 drones headed towards the city. The night before, four drones were shot down. While initial reports indicated no significant damage or injuries, debris from the drones did land on a major highway. In total, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted around 105 drones across the country overnight.

The attacks are especially significant because they occurred just before an important state visit from Xi Jinping, who will join the Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Other world leaders, such as Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Vietnam’s President To Lam, will also attend these events. Victory Day is a key date for President Vladimir Putin, who often uses it to strengthen public support and showcase military strength.

Thousands are expected to fill Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. Traditionally, this event remembers the more than 25 million Soviet lives lost during World War II. However, recent drone attacks have led to the cancellation of some celebrations in parts of Russia, including in Sevastopol and Krasnodar, due to safety concerns.

Local officials cited “security reasons” for these cancellations. Mikhail Razvozhaev, head of Sevastopol, announced that commemorations were called off, echoing sentiments from Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev, who expressed concern for the safety of parade participants.

Putin recently proclaimed a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine around the May 9 celebrations. However, skepticism surrounds this claim, especially after accusations from Ukrainian officials that Russia has continued its military offensives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the ceasefire as insincere, insisting that a longer truce of at least 30 days is needed.

In the wake of recent attacks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of prolonging the conflict. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Russian forces have increased their assaults in Ukraine since the ceasefire was proposed, resulting in casualties among civilians.

As of now, the U.S. administration is urging for a permanent ceasefire while efforts to negotiate an end to the war have stalled. The situation remains complex, with rising tensions and continued military actions affecting both sides.

Additionally, there is growing concern regarding the involvement of other countries in the conflict. Ukraine has captured Chinese fighters and called for transparency from Beijing, which has denied any military involvement.

This conflict represents not just a military struggle but a geopolitical chess game, raising questions about international alliances and the impact of foreign policies on regional security in Eastern Europe.

For more on the ongoing situation, see the CNN live updates and World Health Organization data.

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