Moscow shuts down airports and mobile signals as Victory Day parade looms
Moscow has shut down airports and restricted mobile internet access as part of heightened security measures ahead of the 9 May Victory Day parade. Fears of Ukrainian drone strikes have prompted the Kremlin to scale back the military display and increase protection for President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine dismissed Russia's proposed ceasefire as a tactical maneuver to safeguard the event.
- ▪Russia shut down all four of Moscow’s airports due to unspecified security concerns ahead of the Victory Day parade.
- ▪Mobile internet access was temporarily cut across Moscow, disrupting daily activities for workers and delivery services.
- ▪Ukraine recently demonstrated its ability to breach Moscow’s air defenses, with a drone striking a high-rise near the Kremlin.
- ▪The Victory Day parade will proceed without heavy military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades.
- ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Russia’s ceasefire proposal, calling it a cynical ploy to protect the parade.
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Russian Federal Guard (FSO) officers patrolling central Moscow on Tuesday. Photograph: Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenRussian Federal Guard (FSO) officers patrolling central Moscow on Tuesday. Photograph: Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty ImagesRussiaMoscow shuts down airports and mobile signals as Victory Day parade loomsKremlin tightens security ahead of Russia’s biggest national celebration on 9 May amid fears of Ukrainian drone strikesPjotr SauerTue 5 May 2026 08.56 EDTLast modified on Tue 5 May 2026 09.15 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleRussia shut down airports and temporarily cut mobile internet access for many users in Moscow on Tuesday, as it tightened security ahead of the 9 May Victory Day parade marking the defeat of Nazi Germany.The parade – Russia’s…
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