Moscow, Russia — Tensions continue to rise in Russia as Ukrainian drones launched a second consecutive night of attacks on Moscow, halting air traffic at several of the city’s major airports. The strikes come just days before Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts world leaders for the annual Victory Day parade, set to showcase Russia’s military strength.

Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, confirmed that 19 drones were shot down as they neared the Russian capital. This followed another attack on Monday night, when Russian air defenses intercepted four drones approaching Moscow. While there have been no immediate reports of casualties or severe damage, drone debris fell onto a major highway, raising safety concerns. As a precaution, Russian aviation authorities suspended flights at four airports in the capital, impacting air travel across the region.

In total, Russia’s defense ministry reported the interception of 105 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight. Despite these continuous drone strikes, there have been no reports of major destruction, but the ongoing attacks have heightened concerns over the safety of Russia’s key infrastructure.

The timing of these attacks is particularly significant, with world leaders—including China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Vietnam’s President To Lam—set to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow this week. The Victory Day event, scheduled for May 9, is the most important in Russia's calendar, commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany and honoring the millions of Soviet lives lost in World War II.

The parade also serves as a platform for Putin to showcase Russia's military might, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the drone strikes are only the latest sign of the escalating conflict. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that Kyiv is not interested in creating a “pleasant atmosphere” for Putin’s international stage. In a recent address, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not be “playing games” to ease Putin's diplomatic isolation during the Victory Day celebrations.

Meanwhile, Russia has taken steps to scale back celebrations in some regions due to ongoing security concerns. The Krasnodar region and Sevastopol in Crimea, both under Russian control, have canceled their local Victory Day parades, citing the “risk” posed by continued air threats. Local governors have emphasized the importance of safety, with one official stating that the risk to both residents and parade-goers was too great given the nightly air alerts.

The conflict has also stirred international tensions, with Zelensky questioning China’s involvement in the war. He recently revealed that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese fighters in early April, and raised concerns that China may have a more direct role in the conflict. Beijing has denied these claims, reiterating that Chinese citizens should avoid participating in any military actions.

Ukraine has also increasingly relied on drones to counter Russia’s technological and manpower advantages. Over the weekend, Ukraine reported the successful downing of a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea using a sea-based drone—an unprecedented move that further underscores Kyiv’s shifting military strategy.

As the drone attacks continue to disrupt Moscow’s preparations for its biggest annual military display, Putin’s government remains under pressure to demonstrate strength. The situation remains fluid, with the Kremlin yet to respond to the latest developments. However, what is clear is that these drone strikes signal a deepening of the conflict and heightened uncertainties on both the diplomatic and military fronts.


By WafricNews Desk.