Ukrainian Drone Assault Disrupts Moscow Flights Ahead of Victory Day Parade

A recent Ukrainian drone assault led to the temporary closure of flights across Moscow's major airports, highlighting the ongoing tensions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict just days ahead of the Victory Day parade planned to celebrate World War II's end.

In the early hours of Tuesday, flights were halted at 13 airports, including all four principal aviation hubs in Moscow, following a drone attack targeting multiple regions in Russia, reported by the Ministry of Defense. While Kyiv has not officially confirmed responsibility for the assaults, which come in retaliation to ongoing Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, the timing before a highly publicized parade raises speculation about potential intentions.

Russian retaliatory actions during this period have included drone attacks on several Ukrainian cities, which resulted in casualties among civilians. Despite receiving assurances from numerous foreign dignitaries slated to attend the event, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Putin's call for a brief truce has been met with skepticism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the ceasefire unless conditions are significantly extended. As the region remains tense, the safety of Victory Day participants hangs in the balance.