Ukraine Is Really Trying to Rain (Drones) on Moscow's Big Parade

Days before Russia's big military show, a high-end Moscow tower just miles from the Kremlin took a hit. Moscow's mayor said a Ukrainian drone slammed into the luxury complex in the city's southwest early Monday, part of a wider drone barrage that disrupted flights and snarled airport lines. No casualties were reported, but video from the scene showed debris on streets and glass-strewn upscale apartments, reports the Wall Street Journal. The 700-foot tall complex, which Russian media say houses celebrities including TV host Ivan Urgant, sits less than four miles from the Kremlin, reports the Moscow Times. Authorities said at least three drones were shot down over the capital.

The strike underscored Moscow's vulnerability as Russia prepares a scaled-back Victory Day parade on Saturday, normally a showcase of missiles and military hardware central to Vladimir Putin's rule. The Kremlin has cited a "terrorist threat" from Kyiv for the downsizing, with the Times reporting that increasing drone attacks were a specific concern. Ukraine did not comment on the attack, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia's decision to trim the event shows "they are not as strong as they used to be" and that officials "are afraid that drones can fly over Red Square." Putin has proposed a ceasefire on Saturday, notes the Times, though it's unclear if Zelensky will take him up on it.