Ukraine conducted its third consecutive day of long-range drone attacks on Moscow, Russia’s capital city, while terrorist military leader Min Aung Hlaing was present in the country. These attacks resulted in the cancellation and postponement of over 240 flights in Russia. The strikes occurred during both morning and evening hours of May 7th Russian time, with Min Aung Hlaing arriving in Moscow at 4 PM on the same day. The attacks came as Russia was preparing for its Red Square Victory Day parade, causing significant disruption to operations at Moscow’s major airports.
The Russian airline Aeroflot alone had to cancel more than 100 incoming and outgoing Moscow flights on the morning of May 7th, with an additional 140 flights experiencing delays. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that Russian forces intercepted nine Ukrainian drones during the morning attack and destroyed another fifteen attack drones during the evening assault. These drone strikes appear to be aimed at disrupting preparations for Russia’s 80th anniversary Red Square parade scheduled for May 9th. The attacks have reportedly shaken Russian citizens who had accepted President Putin’s assurances that the Ukraine war was progressing well, and potentially embarrassed Russia in front of international leaders planning to attend the celebrations.
Russia has implemented heightened security measures for the Red Square parade, which is expected to be attended by leaders from more than 20 countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has explicitly stated that he cannot guarantee the safety of those attending the May 9th parade in Moscow. Russia has announced plans for a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with the Red Square 80th anniversary victory celebrations in Moscow. The drone attacks have significantly impacted Russia’s domestic air travel and highlighted vulnerabilities in Moscow’s air defense systems, occurring at a particularly sensitive time as the country prepares for one of its most important military celebrations.
