On May 6, 2025, Moscow faced a Ukrainian drone attack, as reported by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, causing temporary flight suspensions at Moscow's international airports. This incident occurred just days before the Victory Day celebrations, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense forces repelled an attack by 105 Ukrainian drones, 19 of which were near Moscow. Debris from the intercepted drones damaged buildings, but no injuries were reported. The attack led to temporary flight restrictions at more than a dozen airports, including four in Moscow.
The Victory Day parade on May 9 is expected to proceed with leaders from nearly 30 countries attending, including China's Xi Jinping and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned foreign delegations about the safety of attending the parade.
The attacks have raised security concerns, leading to the cancellation of Victory Day events in Crimea and restrictions on internet access and fireworks in Moscow. Despite the tensions, Russia intends to proceed with the Victory Day parade, commemorating the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany.