
Azeri and Laotian leaders to skip Russia’s Victory Day parade, Kremlin says
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Laotian leader Thongloun Sisoulith will not attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Laotian leader Thongloun Sisoulith will not attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.
Russia’s annual Victory Day parade is taking place in Moscow on May 9, in a week dramatically marked by a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on the city, and a dubious unilateral ceasefire announced by the Kremlin. Russia's Victory Day celebrations, which mark the Soviet Union's role in defeating
The so-called "humanitarian" truce will run from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11.
"These are not disruptions, but restrictions for obvious reasons. We want the glorious Victory Day to be celebrated at the appropriate level," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
The disruption comes days before Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9, one of the country's largest public events and a key propaganda tool for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin has released a guest list of countries and foreign leaders planning to attend the contentious May 9 Victory Day parade. Military personnel from 13 countries are expected to march through Moscow and at least 29 world leaders are expected to attend the event.
Key developments on May 6: * Ukraine brings home 205 POWs in prisoner exchange with Russia * Russian soldiers executed 3 unarmed Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk Oblast, prosecutors say * Russia allegedly downs 3 drones approaching Moscow as Putin prepares Victory Day parade * Ukraine stabilizes Pokrovsk front, seizes tactical initiative in some areas,
For the second night in a row, the Kremlin has reported downing Ukrainian attack drones on their approach to Moscow. While not an unprecedented event, the timing of these attacks on the Russian capital has not gone unnoticed, coming just days before the much-vaunted Victory Day parade in the center
During the attack, temporary restrictions were imposed on air traffic over Moscow, as well as over the Russian cities of Kaluga, Tambov, Yaroslavl, and Nizhny Novgorod.
Poland will hold presidential elections on May 18, with a potential runoff on June 1, as the country faces key debates over social policy, migration, and national security that could shape its political trajectory.
Debris from one of the drones reportedly fell on the Kashirskoye Highway, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. The reported attack comes just days before Russia's Victory Day parade and three-day "truce."
Key developments on May 5: * Ahead of Putin's Victory Day Parade, Ukrainian drones reportedly target Moscow, Russian officials claim * Ukraine strikes Russian drone control center in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's General Staff says * Special tribunal against Russian leadership may be launched in 2026, President's Office says * Czech Republic ready to train
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drones were shot down near the town of Podolsk, south of the capital.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico condemned President Volodymyr Zelensky for warning "foreign delegations not to come" to Russia's Victory Day parade.
In an interview with pro-Russian state journalist Pavel Zarubin for the documentary, Putin confirmed he assesses the potential of each possible successor. "Yes, I do," he replied when asked directly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that Russia could orchestrate provocations, including “arsons, explosions, or other actions,” and then attempt to blame Ukraine.
Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposal was not a serious attempt to end the war and reiterated Ukraine’s support for a U.S.-backed strategy calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Togo’s Foreign Ministry earlier said the detainees had been misled into leaving the country with promises of scholarships to study in Russia.
The 4.7-kilometer (3 miles) road bridge will span the Tumen River and cross the border between Russia and North Korea.
The airline halted its Moscow route in late December 2024 following the downing of an Azerbaijani aircraft during a drone attack, which killed 38 people.
"If a great country needs to stand up, it will stand up at any moment," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that while India "will be represented," it will not be at the highest level and did not specify Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reasons for refusing the invitation.
Yaroslav Moskalik prepared reports for President Putin on the situation in Ukraine, according to an obituary from the Russian Defense Ministry.
Ignat Kuzin was detained for allegedly planting a bomb that killed a senior Russian general, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on April 26, alleging that Kuzin is a Ukrainian agent.
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“According to available data, the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device,” the Investigative Committee of Russia said.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier claims that Russia had "no need" for foreign fighters, the data reveals widespread recruitment through official military selection points in Moscow.
"We are expecting (him)," Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said when asked if U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would arrive in the coming days.
Russian officials discussed the possibility of reviving plans for a Trump Tower in Moscow to entice U.S. President Donald Trump to reset relations, the Moscow Times reported on April 21.
Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said on April 21 that there are currently "no talks" of U.S. President Donald Trump visiting Moscow for Russian President Vladimir Putin's May 9 Victory Parade.
The law further tightens the Kremlin's control over dissent, broadening the scope of who can be branded a "foreign agent" — a designation carrying heavy financial reporting requirements, fines, and widespread social stigma.
Russia’s Supreme Court removed its designation of the Taliban as a terrorist organization, Russian state-controlled news agency TASS reported on April 17.