Deadly strikes in Ukraine as Moscow hit by rare drone attack

By Stefan J. Bos 

Firefighters and emergency crews rushed to a high-rise building in an upscale Moscow neighborhood after an attack, which authorities said marked a rare strike on the heavily protected city.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the building was hit overnight, though the extent of the damage was unclear.

The incident comes just days before Russia’s annual May 9 celebrations. For the first time in nearly two decades, the military parade on Red Square is expected to take place without armoured vehicles or missile systems, amid fears of possible Ukrainian drone attacks.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes deep inside Russia, targeting oil refineries, fuel terminals, and military aircraft, according to officials and reports.

Retaliation claimed

Drones have reportedly struck sites in the Ural region, more than 1,600 kilometers from the front line.

However, Kyiv says these operations are retaliation for continued Russian bombardments of Ukrainian territory.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of what he called “utter cynicism” after overnight strikes in Ukraine killed at least five people and wounded dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Ukrainian officials said three employees of the state energy company Naftogaz were killed in an initial strike on a natural gas facility in the central Poltava region.

Ceasefire uncertainty 

Two emergency workers died in a follow-up attack as they responded to the scene, in what authorities described as a so-called “double tap” strike. Dozens more people were reported injured.

Zelenskyy has proposed a 24-hour ceasefire beginning at midnight Wednesday, but Russia has not indicated whether it will halt its attacks.

The continued strikes on both sides are adding to fear and uncertainty among civilians, as the war — now lasting more than four years — shows no sign of ending.