Russia, Ukraine Exchange Barrage Of Drones Ahead Of WWII Victory Day

Kharkiv firefighters worked to put out blazes sparked by a Russian drone attack overnight on May 5-6.

Russia and Ukraine targeted each other with drone strikes on May 6 as both Moscow and Kyiv gear up for Victory Day celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Russia targeted Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, with nearly 20 drones on May 6, injuring at least four people, local prosecutors said.

The main market street in Kharkiv was hit in the attack, which happened overnight.

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4 Injured In Mass Drone Strike On Kharkiv

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine launched more than 100 drones at targets in 11 regions overnight, including the capital. The ministry claimed air defenses intercepted or downed 105 drones.

In Moscow, at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on their approach to the city, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.

There was no "serious damage or injuries" where debris fell near one of the main highways leading into the city, he said.

Flights were suspended at all four airports that serve Moscow, Russia's aviation regulator said. Flights resumed several hours later.

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In the Kursk border region, where Russian troops recently pushed out the remnants of a Ukrainian force that had invaded last summer, Ukrainian forces attacked a power substation, according to Governor Aleksandr Khinshtein.

The attack injured two teenagers and damaged two transformers, he said. The damage cut power to the area.

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv about the attack, but Ukrainian officials have previously said such assaults are aimed at hitting military targets and infrastructure used to support Moscow's war efforts.

Authorities in Ukraine's Sumy region, to the northwest, urged residents to evacuate homes in two cities near the border after Russian forces fired artillery into two settlements, killing three people and injuring four.

"The Sumy region. Since morning, Russia has been striking border settlements," the Interior Ministry said on Telegram.

Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for a three-day cease-fire in the Ukraine war, beginning May 8, there are no signs of any let up in the violence, either on the battlefield or in the daily exchange of drone barrages between Kyiv and Moscow.

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Victory Day Preparations

The Red Square military parade on May 9 is the centerpiece of the Kremlin's commemorations for Victory Day. Putin is expected to give a speech extolling Moscow's role in the World War II victory, as well as Russia's all-out ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

Putin is expected to host 20 world leaders for the Victory Day events, and officials have announced increased security measures in Moscow ahead of the day.

Moscow authorities warned residents against firing off fireworks this week, and also warned of Internet disruptions in the region, possibly as a way to thwart drone or other potential attacks.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, and AFP