Ukraine eyes drone disruption of Moscow's Victory Day parade
A Ukrainian military expert suggested that Kyiv should initiate drone attacks, causing an air raid alarm to be activated in Moscow on Victory Day, 9th May. This would necessitate the evacuation of assembled foreign leaders. "If all these so-called ceremonies take place in shelters, accompanied by the sound of sirens, it will become a national embarrassment for the Russian Federation," stated Dmytro Zhmailo.
What do you need to know?
- The Victory Day celebrations will occur in Moscow on 9th May, attended by leaders from numerous countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Ukrainian military expert Dmytro Zhmailo believes that Kyiv should disrupt them.
- He thinks that triggering an air raid alarm would be an "embarrassment" for Moscow.
The Director of the Centre for Security and Cooperation, Dmytro Zhmailo, in a conversation with the Espresso channel, predicted where the Ukrainians might strike during the Victory Day celebrations.
According to him, it would be beneficial for Kyiv if the parade in Moscow were interrupted, for example, by air raid alarms. Consequently, the gathered leaders from other countries would have to be evacuated to shelters.
"If all these so-called celebrations are held in shelters, accompanied by the sound of sirens, it will become a national embarrassment for the Russian Federation," he said.
He emphasised that, in his opinion, the attacks should not be directed directly at Red Square, where the celebrations are set to occur. There is a risk that some foreign leader could be harmed in the attack.
"We don't necessarily need Ukrainian drones to fly to Moscow. If an air raid is announced, if events are disrupted, that will be good," he argued.
Victory Day in Moscow
The traditional annual military parade will march through Red Square in Moscow on 9th May, celebrated in Russia as Victory Day.
Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, announced that military formations from 13 countries, including China, will appear alongside Russian soldiers, military vehicles, and various types of weaponry in the parade.
As reported by the media, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, are the only European leaders who have announced their participation in the Victory Day parade, which has been met with sharp criticism from the European Union.
