Russia Says It Will Not Strike Kyiv Despite Airport Chaos Caused by Drone Attacks

Russia will not violate the ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin for Victory Day celebrations by launching strikes on Kyiv in response to disruptions at Russian airports caused by Ukrainian drone attacks. Moscow had warned of retaliation only in one specific scenario — Moscow will strike Kyiv if the Ukrainian side attempts to disrupt the Victory Day parade in the Russian capital, State Duma Defense Committee member and Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev said. "Then we will deliver a massive strike on the center of Kyiv. It must be understood that the President of Russia set a clear task: this concerns a tough response to an attack on Moscow during the holiday period. Violations of the ceasefire do not fall under that response," Sobolev said speaking to NSN. Drone Attacks Disrupt Russian Airports On the morning of May 8, it was reported that 13 Russian airports suspended operations following Ukrainian drone attacks targeting a building belonging to the "Air Navigation of Southern Russia” branch office in Rostov-on-Don.