Kremlin says taking ‘all measures’ to protect May 9 parade

By AFP
May 08, 2025
The Russian flag flies on the dome of the Kremlin Senate building behind Spasskaya Tower, in central Moscow, Russia, May 4, 2023.—Reuters
The Russian flag flies on the dome of the Kremlin Senate building behind Spasskaya Tower, in central Moscow, Russia, May 4, 2023.—Reuters

MOSCOW: The Kremlin insisted on Wednesday it was taking “all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of foreign leaders set to attend its flagship May 9 parade after a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks closed airports in several cities, disrupting hundreds of flights.

Moscow and Kyiv traded a barrage of drone attacks ahead of the parade -- which has become a key event during Vladimir Putin´s 25 years in power -- as US talks pushing for an end to the conflict appeared stalled.

US Vice President JD Vance called on Wednesday on the two sides to enter direct talks. “We think it´s probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two,” he said. Moscow will hold the Victory Day event on Red Square to mark 80 years of the defeat of Nazi Germany, an anniversary that comes more than three years into its Ukraine offensive.