Russia and Ukraine engaged in a series of drone strikes overnight on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals in Kyiv and prompting the closure of major airports in Moscow. This escalation occurred just hours before a visit from a group of foreign leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who are expected to attend Russia’s grand May 9 military parade. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, an event that has become a significant public holiday under President Vladimir Putin’s administration.
In a bid to coincide with the festivities, the Kremlin announced a unilateral three-day truce, set to commence at 2100 GMT. However, Ukraine has dismissed this announcement as deceptive, labeling it a “manipulation” designed to protect the parade rather than an earnest effort toward peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded by advocating for a stronger approach, calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. This proposal has garnered support from U.S. President Donald Trump but has been previously rejected by Putin. Zelensky emphasized the need for intensified pressure on Russia and advocated for more robust sanctions to facilitate diplomatic discussions. “Only significantly intensified pressure on Russia and stronger sanctions can pave the way to diplomacy,” he stated, urging that actions be taken to diminish Russia’s resources for waging war.
In the hours preceding Putin’s truce announcement, Russia launched an aggressive series of drone attacks across Ukraine. Zelensky reported that 142 drones and four ballistic missiles were deployed, resulting in tragic fatalities including a woman and her son in Kyiv. The emergency services confirmed that debris from the drone assault ignited a fire in an apartment building in the Shevchenkivsky district. Residents reported hearing loud explosions around 1:00 am locals time, and by morning, a first-aid tent was erected next to the damaged structure, with responders examining debris from a downed drone.
Amidst this backdrop of violence, Moscow’s airports faced significant travel disruptions due to attempted drone strikes by Ukraine targeting locations in Russia. Major flight operations at Sheremetyevo international airport were temporarily suspended overnight as a precautionary measure. The Federal Aviation Transport Agency stated that the restrictions aimed to safeguard civil aircraft operations. Moscow has frequently halted air traffic in regions where air defense systems are active, but the scale of these closures has intensified in the lead-up to the military parade.
The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting numerous Ukrainian drones aimed at various targets, including the Russian capital. Ukraine claimed to have attacked a fiber-optic facility in Saransk, a city located centrally in Russia, resulting in the authorities declaring a state of emergency and canceling school sessions — though official confirmation of damage to the plant has not emerged.
Reports from Moscow indicated a substantial police presence and heightened surveillance measures, including jamming mobile internet service. Since the onset of the conflict in February 2022, Ukraine has executed attacks on Russian cities and infrastructure, viewing these operations as justified retaliation against the ongoing missile and drone strikes on its own urban centers.
The costs of the conflict have been dire, with tens of thousands of casualties recorded and numerous towns and cities across Ukraine’s southern and eastern regions ravaged by relentless aerial assaults. Currently, Russian forces maintain control over approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, which includes the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014.
The recent spike in violence, particularly the deadly ballistic missile strikes on civilian areas in April, has reignited outrage in Kyiv and resulted in rare criticism from President Trump directed at Putin. In light of the impending parade and foreign visits, Ukraine has made it clear that it cannot guarantee the safety of international leaders attending in Moscow, further complicating the already tense situation.
