Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Wednesday, the Kremlin stated that the overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, which occurred just before the 80th anniversary commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, reflect Kyiv’s inclination to engage in “acts of terrorism.”
On Wednesday, the city’s mayor reported that Russian air defence forces shot down 14 Ukrainian drones, marking Kyiv’s third consecutive day targeting the Russian capital. The main event, a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square, is scheduled for Friday.
The drones forced most of the Russian capital’s airports to close hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping was due to fly in for a visit that Kyiv has made clear it opposes.
How is Russia responding to the escalating drone strikes?
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said:
“The Kyiv regime continues to demonstrate its essence, its propensity for terrorist acts.”
Peskov stated that Russia is taking all necessary measures to guarantee the security of the commemorations that world leaders, including the presidents of Brazil and China, are set to attend this week.
“All necessary measures are being taken by our intelligence services and our military to ensure that the celebration of the Great Victory is held in a calm, stable and peaceful environment,”
He said.
When questioned about Russia’s reaction to the drone strikes, Peskov mentioned that a proposal for a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine during the celebrations remains valid. The Kremlin stated that it will adhere to the ceasefire, but will retaliate if Ukraine launches an attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine between May 8 and May 10, 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.
Why did Zelensky dismiss Russia’s truce offer again?
As reported by Kyiv Independent, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has sternly dismissed recent Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call for a three-day ceasefire as a “theatrical performance” aimed to raise Russia’s image internationally to celebrate Victory Day in Moscow.
Zelensky complained that such a brief truce would not be used to launch serious peace talks and cited the history of Russian violations of prior short-term ceasefires, such as one for the Easter break, which Ukraine accuses Russia of breaking almost 3,000 times between April 19 and April 21.
