Russia downs 13 Ukrainian drones near Moscow region defence ministry says

MOSCOW - A Ukrainian drone barrage forced Russia to close a dozen airports deep behind the front line on May 6, just days before foreign leaders gather in Moscow for a major Victory Day parade.

Some 29 “foreign leaders” will be in Moscow for the event, marking 80 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to use the event to justify his three-year-long war on Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands of people and seen Moscow’s army capture swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine.

The Kremlin also said that it still plans to stick to a three-day truce it proposed to coincide with the parade – which Ukraine has dismissed as nothing more than an attempt by Moscow to secure the event’s safety.

Ukraine has instead called for a month-long ceasefire.

“President (Vladimir) Putin’s initiative for a temporary ceasefire during the holidays is relevant,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

But he added that “an adequate response will be given immediately” if Ukraine does not also halt fire.

Kyiv has denounced the proposal as “theatrical” and a “manipulation” – instead demanding a longer, immediate ceasefire as a step towards ending three years of conflict, which began with the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

It said Russian attacks killed at least three civilians in Ukraine on May 6.

Speculation has swirled over the safety of Moscow’s May 9 parade – which Russia has said will be its grandest ever – marking the anniversary of the end of World War II.

It will take place in the shadow of the Ukraine conflict and with the United States pushing for both sides to end the fighting, so far to no avail.

The Kremlin said on May 6 that 29 “foreign leaders” are expected to