Moscow airports shut again after drone strikes

In a continuous escalation of hostilities, Ukraine launched a second consecutive overnight drone attack on Moscow, leading to the temporary closure of all airports within Russia's capital, according to local officials. Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed as they approached from multiple directions, averting major damage or casualties.

In response to the threat, Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, announced the suspension of flights at all four airports serving Moscow for several hours overnight to maintain air safety. Additional airport closures were reported in various regional cities.

Despite Moscow's official denials of casualties or significant destruction, three prominent Telegram channels linked to Russian security services—Bazaar, Mash, and Shot—reported a drone had hit an apartment building in southern Moscow, shattering windows along a major thoroughfare. There have been no verified reports of injuries.

Ukraine has yet to officially comment on these incidents. Meanwhile, a CNN report highlighted ongoing Russian drone strikes in Ukraine's Kharkiv and Kyiv regions, citing the governor of Ukraine's Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, who reported one fatality from such an attack.

These drone offensives on Moscow occur as the city prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously declared a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10 to honor the event. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized the measure, suggesting an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, aligning with a U.S.-backed proposal from March.

This marks the second consecutive night Russia has claimed Ukrainian drone attacks. On Monday, Russia’s defense ministry reported the destruction of 26 Ukrainian drones. Since the commencement of the conflict over three years ago, Kyiv has mounted several drone offensives on Moscow, the most significant in March resulting in three fatalities.

Meanwhile, in Russia's southwest Voronezh region, bordering Ukraine, the local governor noted the destruction of 18 drones, which led to minor damage to a non-residential building and a children’s playground. Over the southern Pena region, Russian air defenses destroyed 10 additional drones, with no reported injuries or damage, according to a regional Telegram update.

The complete impact of the recent wave of drone attacks on Moscow and the wider Russian territory remains uncertain, with no immediate response from Kyiv regarding the latest developments. Ukraine justifies its drone campaigns as targeting infrastructure critical to Russian military operations and countering ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian residential areas and essential energy facilities.