Two out of three drones were repelled by Russian air defense – one hit a residential building.Image: AP
May 4, 2026, 7:46 amMay 4, 2026, 7:46 am
A few days before the traditional Victory Day military parade in Moscow, a Ukrainian drone crashed into a residential building near the center of the Russian capital. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote this on the Telegram platform early in the morning, according to the state news agency Tass. There were no injuries. The damaged building – according to the Kyiv Independent a luxurious high-rise – is located in a residential area in the west of the capital, which is also home to embassies. According to Sobyanin, two more Ukrainian drones were shot down by air defense.
The Russian Defense Ministry had already announced at the end of April that the military parade on Saturday would take place this year without tanks and missiles due to fears of Ukrainian drone attacks. Russia traditionally celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945 on May 9th.
Although Russia frequently reports Ukrainian drone attacks on the greater Moscow area, these tend to target airports, military facilities and suburbs. Civil infrastructure is rarely damaged in the capital. According to government figures, most drones are shot down.
Ukraine has been resisting a Russian invasion for more than four years. Russia is also systematically shelling its neighbor’s hinterland, using drones and missiles. In Ukraine, civilians die almost every day in attacks, and homes and infrastructure vital to their residents are destroyed. (nil/sda/dpa)