Not long after that, on May 17, Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow airports. This attack impacted international flight operations significantly and raised the specter of terrorist attacks just days before Russia’s annual Victory Day parade. The attacks closed Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. In turn, Aeroflot took quick initiative to roll back on flight operations, temporarily canceling certain routes that created a risk during the conflict.
The drone strikes occurred within hours of the time when Russia and Ukraine engaged in bilateral talks. This pattern of events reflects the mounting tensions on the ground. Russian leaders are converging on Moscow for Friday’s capped ceremonial leadership Victory Day parade. In the midst of all that, conditions have continued to grow more dangerous. Kyiv has already warned of dangers to the safety of parade-goers. It is clear that they cannot – and do not – guarantee protection, as a result of the situation of continuing hostilities.
Sheremetyevo airport was thrown into chaos. Consequently, flights at other Russian airports were rerouted in response to drone threat warnings. These recently reported incidents would mark a new and dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict. As of this writing, Ukrainian drones are hitting Russian sites with surprising regularity. It’s the direct impact of these recent attacks on aviation that has drawn the most attention. They came at a time when Israeli military operations in Gaza were increasing, rendering their timing especially significant.
Compounding the violence, a Russian drone strike earlier in the day killed nine civilians traveling on a bus in Ukraine, highlighting the deadly nature of the ongoing conflict. This attack is just another step in the ongoing retaliatory tit-for-tat strikes that have further heightened tensions between the two countries.
The continued closure of Moscow’s airports, leading to a disruption of defense flights by drone attack. Consequently, both countries are extraordinarily sensitive in a very tense geopolitical environment. Putin’s inner circle allies convened on Russia’s second-city St. Petersburg for Victory Day rehearsals. This convergence of circumstances is prompting fears that the situation could escalate this year on this national holiday.
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