Ukrainian Drone Assault Leaves 60,000 Air Passengers Stranded in Russia

In a recent surge of Ukrainian drone activity, at least 60,000 passengers have been stranded at Russian airports due to mass flight cancellations. The situation reflects the ongoing tension as Russia prepares for commemorative military events amid renewed hostilities and calls for peace from Ukraine and its allies.

At least 60,000 air travelers are currently stranded at various airports across Russia in the wake of substantial drone attacks by Ukraine, according to local authorities. Following these assaults, the Russian Association of Tour Operators reported that about 350 flights were canceled or delayed since Tuesday evening, particularly affecting major cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi.

The Russian defense ministry has claimed that it successfully intercepted 524 Ukrainian drones over a 24-hour period, marking a potential record for their defense systems. Fortunately, no casualties were linked to these drone attacks. Concurrently, Ukrainian sources reported a barrage of Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, which resulted in two fatalities as the self-imposed Russian ceasefire was about to initiate on Wednesday night, coinciding with an upcoming World War II victory parade scheduled for May 9.

Ukraine has dismissed Russia's ceasefire offer as mere theatrics, advocating instead for an unconditional 30-day truce, which has garnered support from European and U.S. allies. Reflecting on the diplomatic landscape, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance expressed concerns over Russia's stringent demands for a settlement, emphasizing the necessity for dialogue between the warring nations and downplaying divisions within Western Europe.

Amid these tensions, three key Moscow airports—Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Domodedovo—experienced significant disruptions, leading to the cancellation of 110 flights in the capital alone. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported the downing of 19 drones in close proximity to Moscow since Tuesday night. In St. Petersburg, around 55 flights faced cancellations or delays, causing extensive passenger backlogs, including clips showing flights stuck on the runway.

In a related event, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow ahead of the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Reports indicated that a plane ferrying Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had to make an emergency stop in Azerbaijan due to ongoing drone activities in Russian airspace, which led to multinational air traffic complications. Notably, two Baltic states, Lithuania and Latvia, have restricted airspace to his flight.

Despite the chaos, Russia expects 27 international leaders to attend the celebrations, while some European countries, like Estonia, have resisted providing airspace access for those attending the parade. The Kremlin’s strategic focus coincides with its ongoing military operations, as President Vladimir Putin continues to wield the narrative of fighting against perceived fascism, a stance that has faced robust rejection from Ukraine and various European governments.

As Ukraine grapples with the aftermath of the drone attacks and urges for escalated pressure on Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has called out the recent strikes as provocations intending to undermine his country’s position. With military tensions escalating, analysts are keeping a close eye on the upcoming commemorative events, aware of the potential for further confrontations amidst ongoing hostilities.