Moscow closes airports as Ukraine sends drones
Published: 04:05 PM,May 06,2025 | EDITED : 08:05 PM,May 06,2025
Ukrainian prisoners of war are seen after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location in Ukraine, on Tuesday. — Reuters
KYIV: A Ukrainian drone attack forced Moscow to close its airports for several hours, Russian officials said on Tuesday, before President Vladimir Putin will host several leaders to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. With Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to arrive in Moscow on Wednesday for a parade on May 9 to mark the anniversary, Russian war bloggers also reported a new Ukrainian armoured ground incursion into the
Kursk region. Putin has called for a ceasefire from May 8-10 — a proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called pointless, instead pushing for an unconditional ceasefire over at least 30 days in line with a US proposal. So-called Victory Day is a major holiday in Putin's calendar and the Russian leader has invited the leaders of several nations to try to show he is not isolated over his full-scale war on Ukraine. The US and most European leaders will not be attending.
Ukraine's foreign ministry urged countries on Tuesday not to participate in the parade, saying any such participation would go against some countries' declared neutrality in the war.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian officials said air defence units destroyed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow in a second night attack in a row, prompting the closure of all airports in the capital for several hours.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on social media at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on their approach to Moscow 'from different directions,' causing no major destruction or injuries.
Russia's aviation watchdog said flights were halted at all four airports that serve Moscow for several hours overnight to ensure air safety. Airports in a number of regional cities were also closed.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday the drone attack showed Kyiv wanted to continue the war. Zelenskiy has repeatedly said he wants a ceasefire, calling on Kyiv's allies to apply greater pressure on Moscow to put the measure in place.
Meanwhile, Kyiv said that Russia attacked Ukraine with 136 drones overnight, of which 54 were shot down and 70 others fell without causing any damage.
Ukraine says its drone attacks are aimed at destroying infrastructure key to Moscow's overall war efforts and are in response to Russia's continued assault on Ukrainian territory, including residential areas and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Putin and China's Xi Jinping will discuss the Ukraine conflict and US-Russia relations in talks between the two presidents in Moscow on May 8, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
Moscow and Beijing have deepened ties amid Russia's military offensive on Ukraine, launched in February 2022.
'The most important issues will be discussed in a one-on-one meeting, the Ukrainian topic and Russian-US relations,' Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Russia is rolling out the red carpet for Xi with a state visit, set to start on Wednesday, with the Chinese president also set to be guest of honour at Moscow's grand May 9 Victory Day parade on Red Square.
China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the three-year conflict, although Western governments say its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support. — Agencies
Kursk region. Putin has called for a ceasefire from May 8-10 — a proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called pointless, instead pushing for an unconditional ceasefire over at least 30 days in line with a US proposal. So-called Victory Day is a major holiday in Putin's calendar and the Russian leader has invited the leaders of several nations to try to show he is not isolated over his full-scale war on Ukraine. The US and most European leaders will not be attending.
Ukraine's foreign ministry urged countries on Tuesday not to participate in the parade, saying any such participation would go against some countries' declared neutrality in the war.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian officials said air defence units destroyed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow in a second night attack in a row, prompting the closure of all airports in the capital for several hours.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on social media at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on their approach to Moscow 'from different directions,' causing no major destruction or injuries.
Russia's aviation watchdog said flights were halted at all four airports that serve Moscow for several hours overnight to ensure air safety. Airports in a number of regional cities were also closed.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday the drone attack showed Kyiv wanted to continue the war. Zelenskiy has repeatedly said he wants a ceasefire, calling on Kyiv's allies to apply greater pressure on Moscow to put the measure in place.
Meanwhile, Kyiv said that Russia attacked Ukraine with 136 drones overnight, of which 54 were shot down and 70 others fell without causing any damage.
Ukraine says its drone attacks are aimed at destroying infrastructure key to Moscow's overall war efforts and are in response to Russia's continued assault on Ukrainian territory, including residential areas and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Putin and China's Xi Jinping will discuss the Ukraine conflict and US-Russia relations in talks between the two presidents in Moscow on May 8, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
Moscow and Beijing have deepened ties amid Russia's military offensive on Ukraine, launched in February 2022.
'The most important issues will be discussed in a one-on-one meeting, the Ukrainian topic and Russian-US relations,' Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Russia is rolling out the red carpet for Xi with a state visit, set to start on Wednesday, with the Chinese president also set to be guest of honour at Moscow's grand May 9 Victory Day parade on Red Square.
China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the three-year conflict, although Western governments say its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support. — Agencies