Ukraine launched a third consecutive day of drone strikes on Moscow, forcing major airports in the Russian capital to temporarily shut down just as Chinese President Xi Jinping was set to arrive for World War II Victory Day commemorations. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that Russian air defenses shot down at least 14 Ukrainian drones between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The drone attacks caused widespread disruptions at Moscow’s key airports. National airline Aeroflot announced flight schedule changes in response to the closures. The timing coincides with Xi Jinping’s high-profile four-day state visit, aimed at deepening the strategic “no limits” partnership between Russia and China. The visit also provides a symbolic boost for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to counter narratives of international isolation.
Xi will join 28 other world leaders in attending Victory Day celebrations, with military units from 13 countries, including China, expected to participate in the parade. The Kremlin sees this event as a display of diplomatic strength amid ongoing tensions with the West. Xi is also expected to sign multiple bilateral agreements, further strengthening China-Russia trade ties—China remains Russia’s top trading partner.
May 9 holds deep historical and emotional significance across Russia and the former Soviet Union. The Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people in World War II, including many Ukrainians. Putin frequently invokes the memory of Soviet heroism and sacrifice to foster national unity and push back against what he describes as Western efforts to diminish the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany.
The drone strikes and Xi’s visit underscore the high geopolitical stakes surrounding this year’s Victory Day, blending wartime memory with modern-day conflict and shifting global alliances.