Russia says shot down Ukrainian drones as world leaders arrived

Russia says shot down Ukrainian drones as world leaders arrived

Ukraine's airspace has been forced to close since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022

Russia said Wednesday it shot down several Ukrainian drones headed towards Moscow as world leaders arrived in the capital for World War II commemorations on May 9.

The accusation came hours ahead of a unilateral three-day truce Russia had ordered to coincide with the holiday, which marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

China's Xi Jinping, Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic were among the foreign leaders arriving in Moscow earlier for the occasion.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on Russia's accusation, but has said the Kremlin is ultimately responsible for ensuring the safety of visiting leaders.

Russia, which launched a full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in 2022, fired over 100 drones and multiple ballistic missiles at its neighbour between late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, killing a mother and her son, Kyiv said.

Hours later, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Ukraine fired more than a dozen drones at the Russian capital throughout the afternoon and evening on Wednesday, during which some foreign leaders landed in Moscow.

"Emergency services are working at the scene," he said in several posts on Telegram, adding all the drones were shot down en route.

The White House has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress towards a peace deal between the warring sides, despite US President Donald Trump's efforts.

US Vice President JD Vance called Wednesday on the two sides to enter direct talks. "We think it's probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two," he said.

- 'All necessary measures' -

The Kremlin said earlier it would take measures to ensure the safety of visiting dignitaries.

Russia marks Victory Day with a grand parade of military equipment on Red Square, as well as an address from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Our military and special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, stable and peaceful atmosphere," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

He also said authorities had jammed internet connections ahead of the parade, citing the threat from Kyiv.

"We need to take into account that dangerous neighbourhood that we have," Peskov said, referring to Ukraine.

"As long as guests are here, until May 10, we need to be ready for restrictions," he added, calling on Muscovites to be understanding. 

The Kremlin's forces occupy a fifth of Ukraine and this spring hit the country with a string of deadly attacks on civilian areas. 

- 'Nothing scares us' -

Russians from outside Moscow visiting the heavily policed capital for the parade appeared unfazed.

"We are from Rostov-on-Don. Nothing scares us," said 22-year-old student Valeria Pavlova. The southern city serves as a command and logistics hub for the Ukraine offensive and has regularly been targeted.

"It's much calmer here," she added.

But scenes at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities were more chaotic.

Ukraine launched a barrage of drones at Russia earlier in the day, forcing airports to halt traffic with 60,000 people seeing their flights disrupted, according to Moscow.

Kyiv's drone attacks disrupted some 350 flights Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia's Association of Tour Operators said. Social media videos showed people sleeping on the floor and airports with rows of over a dozen planes queueing on the tarmac.

Ukraine's airspace has been forced to close since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.

Putin has ordered a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting at midnight Wednesday, which Ukraine has dismissed as a "game" designed to protect his parade rather than a genuine peace measure.

Kyiv has instead called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, something Putin previously rejected.

- Foreign leaders -

Hours before Putin's order was set to come into effect, Moscow unleashed a barrage of drone attacks across Ukraine and Zelensky called for more pressure on Russia to end its offensive.

The Kremlin said Putin's order remained in force but that Russia would retaliate to any attacks.

Russia's army, meanwhile, claimed the capture of a small village in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.

Putin, who has been largely isolated by the West since launching his offensive, met with several world leaders including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the afternoon.

bur/giv

Originally published as Russia says shot down Ukrainian drones as world leaders arrived