Ukraine Fires Scores Of Drones At Moscow And Other Russian Regions; Airports Closed

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 06, 2025

Ukraine launched more than 100 drones at targets in 11 regions across Russia, including Moscow, causing major disruptions at airports in the Russian capital, military officials said.

Russia, meanwhile, targeted Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, with nearly 20 drones overnight on May 6, injuring at least four people, local prosecutors said.

The back-and-forth drone attacks come as both Moscow and Kyiv gear up for Victory Day celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany during World War II.

As usual, the Red Square military parade on May 9 is the centerpiece of the Kremlin's commemorations. President Vladimir Putin is expected to give a major speech extolling Moscow's role in the WWII victory, as well as Russia's all-out ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

Despite Putin's call for a three-day cease-fire in the Ukraine war, beginning May 8, there are no signs of any let up in the violence, either on the battlefield or in the daily exchange of drone barrages between Kyiv and Moscow.

Putin is expected to host 20 world leaders for the Victory Day events, and officials have announced increased security measures in Moscow ahead of the day.

Moscow authorities warned residents against firing off fireworks this week, and also warned of Internet disruptions in the region, possibly as a way to thwart drone or other potential attacks.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine launched more than 100 drones at targets in 11 regions overnight, including capital. The ministry claimed air defenses intercepted or downed 105 drones.

In Moscow, at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on their approach to the capital, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.

There was no "serious damage or injuries" where debris fell near one of the main highways leading into the city, he said.

Flights were suspended at all four airports that serve Moscow, Russia's aviation regulator said. Flights resumed several hours later.'

In the Kursk border region, where Russian troops recently pushed out the remnants of a Ukrainian force that had invaded last summer, Ukrainian forces attacked a power substation, according to Governor Aleksandr Khinshtein.

The attack injured two teenagers and damaged two transformers, he said. The damage cut power to the area.

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv about the attack, but Ukrainian officials have previously said such assaults are aimed at hitting military targets and infrastructure used to support Moscow's war efforts.

In Kharkiv, Russian drones sparked fires in four districts of the city, injuring at least four people, local prosecutors said.

Authorities in Ukraine's Sumy region, to the northwest, urged residents to evacuate homes in two cities near the border after Russian forces fired artillery into two settlements, killing three people and injuring four.

"The Sumy region. Since morning, Russia has been striking border settlements," the Interior Ministry said on Telegram.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters and Agence-France Presse

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-drones- moscow-kursk-sumy/33405522.html

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Ukraine Fires Scores Of Drones At Moscow And Other Russian Regions; Airports Closed