Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the third day in a row on Wednesday, disrupting air traffic at the capital’s airports just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled arrival for a high-profile visit.
The strikes forced airport closures and grounded flights, intensifying tensions as Russia prepares to celebrate Victory Day on 9 May.
Xi, whose country is Russia’s top buyer of oil and gas and a key economic ally amid Western sanctions, is set to arrive Wednesday evening. Though the Chinese Foreign Ministry avoided commenting on the drone attacks, it emphasized the need to avoid further escalation.
The Kremlin condemned the drone strikes as acts of terrorism, and said its intelligence and military forces were ensuring safety for the upcoming anniversary events. Xi is expected to attend the Red Square parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, making him the most prominent international figure at the event.
Russia views Xi's attendance, along with leaders from 28 other nations, as a diplomatic win and a sign it is not isolated. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warned that foreign military participation in the parade would contradict any country’s neutral stance on the war.
While Moscow reported destroying 14 Ukrainian drones, Kyiv suffered its own airstrike overnight, with a mother and her son killed. Russia insists it only targets military infrastructure.
Xi, who has called for peace talks and criticized U.S. arms support to Ukraine, will meet Putin on Thursday and attend the parade Friday. He is also expected to sign multiple deals, reinforcing China's strategic partnership with Moscow.
As U.S.-China tensions continue, and Washington tries to revive peace efforts, Putin and Xi aim to present a united front against American dominance. In an article published Wednesday, Xi emphasized preserving the post-World War II international order and strengthening China-Russia cooperation. Russian officials hailed the visit as a major event in bilateral relations, with discussions expected to cover energy projects like the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
A major wave of Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv early Tuesday, killing 16 people, including a U.S. citizen, and injuring dozens as the capital faced one of the largest attacks since the war began.
Russia and Ukraine faced intense overnight drone bombardments, with both Moscow and Kyiv reporting waves of unmanned aerial vehicles targeting major cities and critical regions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a closely watched visit that underscores Beijing’s growing strategic alignment with Russia.
Moscow airports are experiencing major flight disruptions due to ongoing Ukrainian drone threats ahead of Russia's 9 May Victory Day celebrations.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov announced that 29 foreign leaders are expected to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9.
The French city of Lyon has introduced new restrictions on car traffic in its historic centre as part of a broader plan to reduce air pollution and prioritize sustainable urban living.
President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that unity between the government and the people is essential for overcoming national crises, urging swift action from officials and deeper cooperation with neighboring countries.
Azerbaijan took part in the fourth meeting of heads of ministries and agencies responsible for ICT development among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, held in Karamay, China.
President Ilham Aliyev and Bulgarian National Assembly President Natalia Kiselova reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria during a meeting in Baku on June 18, highlighting strong political and energy ties.
Germany’s foreign minister called on Iran’s leadership to urgently provide credible assurances it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and to return to negotiations, amid growing fears of military escalation with Israel.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation advisory for Iranian civilians living near weapons production sites and associated infrastructure within Iran. The message was shared on the social media platform X in both Arabic and Farsi by an official military spokesperson.
A new rail agreement between Pasifik Eurasia and a China Railway subsidiary is set to strengthen the Middle Corridor trade route, offering a faster and cheaper alternative to shipments via Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump will extend the deadline for TikTok's U.S. divestment for a third time, giving 90 more days to finalize a sale, the White House confirmed.
South Korea, the US, and Japan held their first joint air drills since President Lee Jae Myung took office, signalling security cooperation even as Seoul seeks renewed dialogue with North Korea.
The French city of Lyon has introduced new restrictions on car traffic in its historic centre as part of a broader plan to reduce air pollution and prioritize sustainable urban living.
Azerbaijan took part in the fourth meeting of heads of ministries and agencies responsible for ICT development among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, held in Karamay, China.
The French city of Lyon has introduced new restrictions on car traffic in its historic centre as part of a broader plan to reduce air pollution and prioritize sustainable urban living.
President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that unity between the government and the people is essential for overcoming national crises, urging swift action from officials and deeper cooperation with neighboring countries.
Azerbaijan took part in the fourth meeting of heads of ministries and agencies responsible for ICT development among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, held in Karamay, China.
President Ilham Aliyev and Bulgarian National Assembly President Natalia Kiselova reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria during a meeting in Baku on June 18, highlighting strong political and energy ties.
Germany’s foreign minister called on Iran’s leadership to urgently provide credible assurances it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and to return to negotiations, amid growing fears of military escalation with Israel.
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