Trending Now - Ukrainian Drones Strike Moscow Ahead of Victory Day Events

WHO:

Kyiv Post - Zelensky stated, “This will be the first time in many, many years that they cannot afford the presence of weapons at the parade.”

Kyiv Post - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico does not plan to take part in the military parade itself but intends to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Kyiv Post - Seven foreign leaders are expected to attend Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.

Kyiv Post - Milorad Dodik, the leader of the ruling party in Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), has announced plans to visit Moscow.

Kyiv Post - President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, “Russia has announced a parade on May 9, but there will be no military equipment at this parade.”

Kyiv Post - Zelensky mentioned, “This summer will be the moment when [Russian President Vladimir] Putin decides what to do next: expand this war or move toward diplomacy.”

Kyiv Post - President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested Ukrainian drones may target Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade.

Kyiv Post - Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the drone attack and reported no casualties.

Kyiv Post - Russian President Vladimir Putin was mentioned in the context of a proposed "truce" around May 9.

Kyiv Post - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to attend the May 9 parade.

WHAT:

Kyiv Post - The impact of the drone strike destroyed walls in three rooms on the 36th floor of the Mosfilm Tower, and part of the facade collapsed onto a parked car below.

Kyiv Post - The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the May 9 parade will not display military equipment, marking a notable shift for the event.

Kyiv Post - The impact of the drone strike on the Mosfilm Tower destroyed walls in three rooms on the 36th floor, and part of the facade collapsed onto a parked car below.

BBC News - The Kremlin is strengthening defenses in Moscow by bringing in additional air defense systems from outside the capital region.

Kyiv Post - Zelensky revealed that Ukraine is capable of producing a full range of defense systems to protect itself independently.

Kyiv Post - Zelensky called for deeper coordination with European partners on both offensive and defensive technologies.

Kyiv Post - A Ukrainian drone struck a residential high-rise in western Moscow, damaging apartments and scattering debris.

Kyiv Post - The May 9 parade in Moscow is expected to be significantly scaled back, with no tanks, missile systems, or artillery displayed for the first time since 2008.

Kyiv Post - Eight drones targeting Moscow were intercepted on May 3, temporarily disrupting airport operations.

BBC News - The attack on the high-rise occurred overnight, marking a rare hit inside Moscow's urban area.

WHERE:

Kyiv Post - The Mosfilm Tower is located approximately seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from the Kremlin.

Kyiv Post - The drone struck a high-rise residential complex on Mosfilmovskaya Street, approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the Kremlin.

Kyiv Post - The Mosfilm Tower is located in an elite neighborhood in Moscow, close to embassies and diplomatic residences.

WHEN:

Kyiv Post - The May 9 parade is scheduled for May 9, with new restrictions on satellite internet and mobile connections imposed from May 5 to May 9.

Kyiv Post - Zelensky instructed Ukrainian representatives to seek clarification from the team of Trump over Russia’s proposed “truce” around May 9.

Kyiv Post - The drone attack occurred early on May 4, around 1 a.m. local time.

Kyiv Post - The May 9 Victory Day parade is scheduled for May 9.

WHY:

Politico - The Kremlin's decision to exclude military material from the May 9 parade is attributed to the country’s defensive vulnerability four years into its invasion of Ukraine.

Kyiv Post - Zelensky emphasized that sustained pressure on Russia remains essential, particularly through sanctions, stating, “The idea of lifting sanctions is unacceptable.”

Kyiv Post - Zelensky stated that Russia is no longer capable of showcasing military strength as in previous years, indicating a shift in military capabilities.

Kyiv Post - The Kremlin's decision to scale back the parade is attributed to the "current operational situation," linked to equipment shortages and security concerns.

HOW:

BBC News - The Kremlin is strengthening defenses in Moscow by bringing in additional air defense systems from outside the capital region.

Politico - New restrictions are being imposed on satellite internet and mobile connections in Moscow, with reports indicating that SMS services will be blocked between May 5 and 9.

BBC News - The Kremlin is strengthening defenses in Moscow by bringing in additional air defense systems from outside the capital region.

Kyiv Post - The drone attack involved a Ukrainian drone striking a high-rise building, with reports of debris scattered in the area.

Kyiv Post - Russian air defenses intercepted two additional drones heading toward Moscow, though specifics on their downing were not provided.

(UPDATED May 4, 2026 21:19 UTC)

In a significant shift for the upcoming May 9 parade, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that military equipment will not be displayed, a decision attributed to the country's defensive vulnerabilities amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky remarked that this will be the first time in many years that weapons will be absent from the parade, while Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier instead of participating in the event. Additionally, new restrictions on satellite internet and mobile connections will be in place from May 5 to May 9 as the Kremlin enhances air defenses in Moscow.

(UPDATED May 4, 2026 19:22 UTC)

Seven foreign leaders, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, are expected to attend Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade, while Milorad Dodik, the leader of the ruling party in Republika Srpska, has announced plans to visit Moscow. The recent drone strike on the Mosfilm Tower, located about seven kilometers from the Kremlin, caused significant damage, destroying walls on the 36th floor and collapsing part of the facade onto a parked car below. In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin is strengthening defenses in Moscow by bringing in additional air defense systems and imposing new restrictions on satellite internet and mobile connections from May 5 to May 9, which will include blocking SMS services.

(UPDATED May 4, 2026 17:24 UTC)

President Zelensky announced that Russia plans to hold a parade on May 9, but he noted there will be no military equipment present. He also revealed that Ukraine is capable of independently producing a full range of defense systems and called for deeper coordination with European partners on both offensive and defensive technologies. Zelensky instructed Ukrainian representatives to seek clarification from Trump’s team regarding Russia's proposed "truce" around May 9, emphasizing the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions.

(UPDATED May 4, 2026 13:20 UTC)

President Zelensky has suggested that Ukrainian drones may target Russia’s upcoming May 9 Victory Day parade, following a drone attack that struck a residential high-rise in western Moscow, causing damage and scattering debris. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the attack, which occurred early in the morning, and reported no casualties, while the Kremlin is planning to significantly scale back the parade, marking the first time since 2008 that tanks, missile systems, and artillery will not be displayed. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to attend the May 9 event, amid discussions of a proposed truce around that date, as Russia grapples with military capability shifts and security concerns.