Russia and Ukraine exchange deadly air strikes as capitals face drone attacks

Russia and Ukraine launched more overnight air attacks on each other's capitals, resulting in two deaths in Kyiv. The drone strikes on Kyiv sparked fires, while Moscow's air defences destroyed multiple drones.

Russia and Ukraine launched additional overnight air attacks on each other's capitals on Wednesday, resulting in two fatalities in Kyiv. The drone strikes in Kyiv caused fires across three districts, including the Shevchenkivskyi district, where two people were killed, according to Ukraine's emergency services.

Seven people, including four children, were injured in the strikes on Kyiv, which occurred shortly after Russia fired missiles at the Ukrainian capital. Five of the casualties were in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district, a densely populated area along the Dnipro River, said Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration.

Meanwhile, Moscow's key airports remained out of operation for much of the night, with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reporting that Russian air defence units destroyed at least 14 Ukrainian drones. There were no reports of damage to the city itself.

Moscow is preparing for a long holiday weekend and the May 9 parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War Two. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will host leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping at the parade, called for a ceasefire between May 8-10. However, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the proposal as ineffective, suggesting instead an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, echoing a U.S. proposal from March.

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