Overview

• Ukraine launched drone attacks on Moscow for a third consecutive night, forcing closures at all major Moscow airports and delaying hundreds of flights.
• Russia’s air defenses intercepted at least 14 drones overnight, and heightened security measures remain in place as 29 world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, arrive for Victory Day events.
• President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire starting May 8 to coincide with the celebrations, but Ukraine dismissed it as a ploy and called for an unconditional 30-day truce.
• Russia continued missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, killing civilians in Kyiv, while Ukraine targeted Russian military-industrial sites and disrupted Moscow’s preparations for the parade.
• Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, has become a major diplomatic showcase for Putin, with foreign leaders attending the Red Square parade despite ongoing conflict.