By Anton Holoborodko (Антон Голобородько)
Moscow, Russia – Ukraine targeted Moscow for the second consecutive night, forcing temporary flight suspensions at several major airports as Russia prepares to host its annual Victory Day celebrations, a key event in President Vladimir Putin’s political calendar. The incident occurred just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders are expected to arrive in the Russian capital.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed via Telegram on Tuesday that Russian air defenses had intercepted and destroyed at least 19 drones en route to the capital. This came only 24 hours after another round of drone attacks saw four unmanned aerial vehicles downed near the city. While no major casualties or significant infrastructure damage were reported, debris from downed drones fell on a major highway, prompting brief panic and heightened security measures.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, a total of 105 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across various regions, reflecting Kyiv’s increasingly bold use of drone technology to challenge Russia’s air defenses and exert pressure deep inside Russian territory.
Victory Day Preparations Under Tight Security
The drone attacks come at a sensitive time, as Moscow prepares for its annual May 9 Victory Day parade — a symbolic event that commemorates the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II. The celebration is particularly significant this year as it marks the 80th anniversary of the victory and is expected to draw the participation of 29 international leaders and delegations.
Among the high-profile attendees are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vietnamese President To Lam, and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. India, Nicaragua, and South Africa are sending senior-level delegations, while North Korea will be represented by its ambassador.
Despite the heightened security and aerial threats, Kremlin officials confirmed that the parade at Red Square would proceed as planned. Thousands are expected to gather to witness the military procession, which has long been used by President Putin as a display of Russian strength and patriotic unity.
Russian tanks and troops have already been seen rehearsing on the streets of Moscow ahead of the event. However, similar celebrations have been canceled in several southern regions, including Sevastopol in occupied Crimea and the city of Krasnodar, due to security concerns.
Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russian-appointed head of Sevastopol, said the decision was made in coordination with Russia’s defense ministry “to ensure the safety of residents.” Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev echoed the sentiment, citing the near-nightly air alerts as too great a risk for public gatherings.
Ukraine Calls for Boycott of Moscow Celebrations
As foreign troops from 13 countries prepare to march in the Red Square parade, Ukraine has called on international allies to boycott the celebrations. In a statement issued Tuesday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned any foreign participation as an endorsement of Russia’s ongoing aggression.
“The participation of foreign military personnel in this event is unacceptable and will be regarded by Ukraine as a desecration of the memory of the victory over Nazism,” the ministry said, warning that such involvement would amount to “sharing responsibility for the blood of Ukrainian children, civilians, and military personnel.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky also reiterated his government’s position, stating in a weekend address that Ukraine would not “play games” to help Putin break international isolation. “We cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation,” Zelensky warned, emphasizing the unpredictability of conflict escalation.
Ceasefire Controversy and Continued Fighting
The drone attacks have cast a shadow over Russia’s proposed unilateral three-day ceasefire, which President Putin declared last month for humanitarian purposes in observance of the May 9 holiday. While the Kremlin insists that the truce remains in effect, Kyiv has rejected the offer, calling it insincere and insufficient.
Zelensky has instead demanded a minimum 30-day ceasefire and criticized Moscow for using temporary truces as tactical cover. Since the announcement of the ceasefire on April 29, Ukrainian officials report that Russia has launched nearly 1,900 attacks along the front lines, killing at least 46 civilians and injuring over 330 others.
A particularly deadly incident occurred on Tuesday when a Russian missile struck a residential area near Sumy in central Ukraine, killing three people, including a six-year-old boy. Eight others were wounded, two of whom are in critical condition, local authorities said.
Drone Warfare and Escalation in Russian Territory
Ukraine’s increasing reliance on drones marks a strategic shift in its efforts to counterbalance Russia’s superior military resources. Ukrainian forces recently claimed a major breakthrough, announcing the destruction of a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea using a maritime drone — reportedly the first such successful operation of its kind.
In another significant development, a Ukrainian official told CNN that Ukrainian troops still maintain a presence in parts of Russia’s western Kursk region, contradicting Russian claims that it had fully recaptured the area following a prolonged incursion by Kyiv’s forces.
Chinese Involvement Under Scrutiny
Amid deepening ties between Moscow and Beijing, Ukraine has also raised concerns over the possible involvement of Chinese nationals in the conflict. Zelensky recently revealed that two Chinese fighters were captured by Ukrainian forces in early April and suggested there may be more fighting on behalf of Russia.
Beijing has denied the allegations, maintaining that Chinese citizens are barred from participating in any foreign conflicts. China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its call for all nationals to refrain from joining military actions and emphasized its neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Diplomatic Pressure and Future Outlook
As the war shows little sign of de-escalation, international actors — including the United States — continue to push for a “permanent ceasefire.” However, peace negotiations remain at a stalemate, with neither side showing readiness to compromise.
With Victory Day celebrations set to proceed under the cloud of escalating drone warfare and international condemnation, the coming days will likely test Russia’s efforts to project unity and power, even as the war grinds on at home and abroad.
