Russian forces intercepted over 100 Ukrainian drones targeting nearly a dozen regions across Russia, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported on Tuesday. The assault led to temporary flight suspensions at all four Moscow airports.
In addition, nine regional airports in Russia halted operations as drones struck areas along the Ukrainian border and deeper into Russian territory, according to Rosaviatsia, the country’s civil aviation agency, and the Defense Ministry. This marked the second consecutive night of reported attacks on the Moscow region.
Two individuals were injured in the Kursk region, according to local Governor Alexander Khinshtein, and some damage was also reported in the Voronezh region.
The veracity of these reports could not be independently verified.
The drone attack comes just two days before President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire, set to begin on May 8 to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. This event is Russia’s most significant secular holiday, attracting foreign dignitaries to the capital.
In the meantime, Russian forces launched at least 20 Shahed drones at Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city near the Russian border, injuring four people, as reported by regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram. The attack also sparked a fire at Kharkiv’s largest market, Barabashovo, destroying or damaging around 100 stalls.
Elsewhere in the region, seven more civilians were injured by Russian glide bombs and drones, according to Syniehubov.
Putin announced the brief unilateral truce, effective May 8, citing humanitarian reasons, while Ukraine has called for a longer ceasefire. Russia has rejected a U.S. proposal for a full 30-day halt in fighting, insisting on stringent conditions. Ukraine has expressed its acceptance of the proposal, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented Monday at the White House that while the truce “doesn’t sound like much,” it represents significant progress compared to the initial situation.
Among the foreign leaders attending the Victory Day events in Moscow will be China’s President Xi Jinping, whom Putin has referred to as “our main guest.” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another key ally of Putin, had planned to attend but canceled his visit due to rising tensions with Pakistan.
Other confirmed guests include Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for challenging the European Union’s stance on Ukraine, and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, who had accepted the invitation for his first trip to Russia since the invasion. However, his attendance remains uncertain after he fell ill.
