Russia also accused Ukraine of launching drone strikes against targets in occupied Crimea and several regions along the Russian border. Authorities in Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and Voronezh all reported attempted incursions, with varying claims of drones being downed or diverted.
Some reports suggested that minor damage was sustained to civilian infrastructure, including power lines and railway facilities, though no casualties were confirmed. Meanwhile, Russian pro-war commentators expressed frustration over the apparent inability to prevent such attacks from reaching the capital. One prominent military blogger asked how Ukrainian drones continued to penetrate Russian airspace so deep into the country, despite the billions spent on defence systems.
There has been no independent verification of the Russian claims, and Ukraine has a policy of ambiguity over cross-border strikes.
However, officials in Kyiv have consistently argued they have the right to target Russian military infrastructure wherever it is located, particularly when used to support the ongoing invasion.
Russia claimed to have intercepted 19 drones aimed at Moscow overnight, temporarily shutting the capital’s airports in a fresh blow for Vladimir Putin just days before the start of VE Day celebrations in Russia.
The attack marks the second night in a row Moscow has been targeted. While Ukraine has not commented on the attack, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on May 6 that Russia had intercepted the drones.
The attempted strike appears to be part of a larger attack, according to the Russian MOD, which claimed to have downed 105 Ukrainian drones overnight from May 5 to May 6.
Putin has declared a unilateral truce over the VE Day period marking the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany in WW2 from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11, however, Ukraine‘s President Volodymyr Zelensky has branded the idea as a “theatrical performance”.
The drone barrage appears aimed at undermining Kremlin messaging ahead of the symbolic May 9 Victory Day parade, a cornerstone of Mr Putin’s wartime propaganda effort.
The event, which typically features military hardware, tightly choreographed processions, and speeches glorifying the Soviet victory in 1945, is expected to be scaled back this year amid growing fears of disruption or embarrassment.
Airspace over several Moscow airports was temporarily restricted during the night, with flights diverted or delayed as air defence systems were activated.
Explosions were heard in several western suburbs of the city, including Krasnogorsk and Odintsovo.
Footage circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising into the sky, though the extent of any damage remains unclear.
Other pictures showed drone strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron discussed the war in Ukraine and migration in a call on Monday, Number 10 has said.
The Prime Minister and French president also touched on VE Day commemorations and an upcoming UK-EU summit, according to a readout of their conversation.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “”The Prime Minister began by reflecting on how privileged he felt to be part of the moving VE Day celebrations this week, including the commemorative events held today.
“Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the leaders discussed the need for Russia to commit to a 30-day ceasefire to ensure meaningful peace talks. Ukraine had proved it was willing and ready to come to the table and was the party of peace, the Prime Minister added.”