Russian policemen stand guard in front of the Kremlin in 2023 in Moscow. As Moscow prepares for its 2026 Victory Day festivities, a Ukrainian drone strike killed two people about 600 miles from the border. File photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE
Two people died Tuesday in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Russian republic of Chuvashia, authorities confirmed. More than 30 others were injured in the attack.
The long-range missile and drone attack struck a site about 600 miles from the Ukrainian border, CNN reported. The region was in a state of emergency following the attack, and area authorities said the strike damaged more than 20 apartment buildings.
Chuvashia’s Prime Minister Oleg Artamonov said that threat remained active later Tuesday, with online classes for schools and a halt on public transit, The Moscow Times reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack was against a military production site that made components for military vehicles and missiles.
Zelensky also said in a statement on social media that Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions continue to provide an entirely just response to Russian strikes,” CNN reported.
Russia authorities said the country intercepted 289 Ukrainian drones overnight and that Russian strikes killed at least five people in Ukraine.
The strike came several days before Moscow is to host its Victory Day parade on May 9, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. Russia has said the festivities will be scaled back due to security concerns.
CNN reported that Russia announced a unilateral cease-fire to mark the day, May 8 to 9, but Zelensky said he had not heard this officially. He did announce a unilateral cease-fire on Ukraine’s part for May 5 to 6 and said the country would act reciprocally “from that moment.”
