Ukrainian drones disrupt Moscow airports as Putin’s allies converge on Russia

Ukrainian drones clashed with Russian air defenses around Moscow for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, disrupting air traffic at four of the country's international airports.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had destroyed 524 drones in its airspace in the past 24 hours, while the local Association of Tour Operators said at least 350 flights had been hit by delays and cancellations in recent days, affecting some 60,000 passengers.

Kyiv's attacks come as Russia is preparing to host Friday's Victory Day parade in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, which has attracted multiple pro-Kremlin leaders from Europe and Asia despite Russia's ongoing three-year assault on Ukraine.

Following the latest drone attacks, Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned “the Kyiv regime” and “its propensity for terrorist acts.”

Ukrainian forces said they had hit two military-industrial plants in Russia.

“Unlike the Russians, who are hitting residential high-rise buildings in peaceful cities, the SBU [Ukraine's counterintelligence service] is working clearly on military facilities that help the enemy carry out armed aggression against Ukraine,” an SBU official told POLITICO.

“Work on weakening Russia’s military capabilities will continue,” the official added.

According to a message that Russian flag carrier Aeroflot sent to its passengers, “temporary restrictions” were introduced Tuesday night at Sheremetyevo Airport, the country's busiest hub.

Independent Russian-language media outlet Meduza reported similar messages from other airlines, indicating that operations at other Moscow airports have been halted due to Ukrainian drone activity and that flights are being diverted to other destinations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly left Beijing Wednesday afternoon to join other foreign leaders allied with Moscow — such as Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin the same day.

“Special services and our military are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the Great Victory takes place in a calm, stable, and peaceful atmosphere,” Peskov said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned over the weekend that his government could not guarantee the safety of foreign delegations visiting Moscow for Friday's parade. 

On the occasion of the May 9 festivities in Moscow, which mark 80 years since the 1945 end of World War II, Putin called for a three-day ceasefire starting Thursday, but Ukraine countered with a demand for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

Despite the drone strikes, Peskov said, Russia's planned three-day ceasefire remains on track.