Russia and Ukraine trade air attacks ahead of Moscow parade
Kyiv authorities say at least two dead after drone debris hit Ukraine capital
Russia and Ukraine traded a barrage of drone strikes overnight on Wednesday, in attacks that killed two in Kyiv and forced Moscow to shut major airports hours before a swathe of foreign leaders was to arrive.
The Kremlin has announced a unilateral three-day truce – set to start at 9pm GMT on Wednesday (5am Thursday Hong Kong time) – to coincide with its grand May 9 military parade on Red Square, marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.
China’s President Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among 29 foreign leaders expected in Moscow to mark the occasion, which has become Russia’s most important public holiday under President Vladimir Putin.
Kyiv has dismissed Putin’s order to his troops to halt their attacks as a “manipulation” and “game” designed to protect his parade rather than a genuine peace measure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire – a proposal back by US President Donald Trump and previously rejected by Putin.