On May 6, 2025, Russia announced the temporary closure of all four major airports in Moscow following a devastating Ukrainian drone attack, marking the second consecutive night of aerial assaults on the capital. This escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly tied to fresh incursions in Russia’s Kursk region, underscores the intensifying tensions as both nations engage in strategic military operations. The drone attack not only disrupted air travel but also highlighted Ukraine’s persistent efforts to challenge Russian control, both in Moscow and along contested border regions.
- Russia closed Moscow’s four major airports after Ukraine launched a drone attack, with 19 drones destroyed before reaching the city, causing no casualties but disrupting a key highway.
- Ukraine targeted a drone command unit in Russia’s Kursk region and reportedly attempted cross-border incursions, damaging infrastructure like an electrical substation in Rylsk.
- The attacks follow Ukraine’s August 2024 incursion into Kursk, with Kyiv maintaining a military presence despite Russia’s claim of regaining control in April 2025.
Moscow’s Airports Paralyzed by Devastating Drone Assault
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed before reaching the city, approaching from multiple directions. The debris from these drones fell onto one of Moscow’s critical highways, causing temporary disruptions but no reported casualties. Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, confirmed the closure of all four major airports—Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—to ensure passenger safety. This devastating drone attack, occurring just before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, signals Ukraine’s intent to apply pressure on Russian infrastructure and morale.
The assault comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions, with Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing a 72-hour ceasefire starting May 8, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed as “unserious.” Instead, Ukraine demanded a 30-day truce to negotiate a permanent ceasefire, reflecting the deep mistrust between the two sides. The closure of Moscow’s airports, a rare and bold disruption, underscores the conflict’s reach into Russia’s heartland, challenging the Kremlin’s narrative of control.
Kursk Region: A Hotbed of Conflict and Devastating Attacks
In parallel with the Moscow drone strikes, Ukraine has intensified its operations in Russia’s Kursk region, a border area that has seen significant fighting since Ukraine’s surprise incursion in August 2024. On Sunday, Ukraine’s general staff reported striking a Russian drone command unit near the village of Tyotkino, a strategic move to disrupt Russia’s aerial capabilities. Russian officials, including acting Kursk governor Alexander Khinshtein, reported that an electrical substation in Rylsk was damaged in a Ukrainian attack, injuring two teenagers and cutting power to the area.
Russian military bloggers, such as RVvoenkor, claimed that Ukrainian forces attempted to cross into Tyotkino, using missiles to destroy bridges and mine-clearing vehicles to breach defenses. These reports, while unverified by the BBC, suggest heavy fighting along the border, with Ukrainian armored groups engaging Russian forces. Ukraine’s statement on Monday affirmed that its forces continue to maintain a presence in Kursk, nine months after the initial incursion, contradicting Russia’s April 2025 claim of full control over the region.
Ukraine’s Strategic Goals Amid Devastating Escalation
Ukraine’s actions in Kursk and Moscow reflect a broader strategy to create a buffer zone and protect its northeastern Sumy region, which lies just 12km from Tyotkino. The August 2024 incursion aimed to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and secure leverage for future peace negotiations. By targeting Moscow’s airports and Kursk’s infrastructure, Ukraine demonstrates its capacity to strike deep into Russian territory, potentially weakening Russia’s resolve and bolstering Kyiv’s position at the negotiating table.
However, the devastating drone attacks have drawn criticism from some observers. Posts on X suggest that Ukraine’s strikes on Moscow may lack military utility and could harden Russian resolve, while others argue they boost Ukrainian morale. The conflict’s escalation, particularly ahead of diplomatic events like the planned arrival of foreign leaders in Moscow, complicates ceasefire efforts and risks further retaliation.
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