**Stranded in Chaos: Ukrainian Drone Attacks Leave 60,000 Passengers Stuck in Russia**

**In the wake of a Ukrainian drone attack, over 60,000 air travelers are stranded across Russia, prompting significant disruption in multiple cities and raising geopolitical concerns.**

At least 60,000 passengers are currently stranded across various airports in Russia due to extensive Ukrainian drone strikes that began Tuesday evening, according to local officials. The Russian Association of Tour Operators has reported that approximately 350 flights have been disrupted across major cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi.

The Russian Defense Ministry claims it has destroyed 524 Ukrainian drones in a single day, marking a potential record if verified, with no casualties reported. Meanwhile, Ukraine has confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in an overnight barrage of Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv. Remarkably, this escalation comes just as Russia's self-declared three-day ceasefire is set to coincide with the upcoming World War II victory parade on May 9.

Ukraine firmly rejected the ceasefire proposal, terming it a "theatrical play" and calling for an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire — a stance echoed by its allies in Europe and the United States. Russia's stipulated terms for any negotiations have been deemed harsh and an attempt to prolong the conflict, with many viewing it as a strategy to force Ukraine's capitulation.

On Wednesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed skepticism regarding Russia's demands, asserting they are "asking for too much." He underscored the importance of dialogue between the warring nations while simultaneously softening his rhetoric towards European allies, emphasizing a unified front.

Disruptions have primarily impacted three major airports serving Moscow: Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Domodedovo, where 110 flights were canceled. The situation has been similarly chaotic in St. Petersburg, with 55 flights either delayed or canceled. Social media footage captured long queues of aircraft awaiting departure at Pulkovo airport, adding to the chaos.

As if to underline the disruptive climate, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow ahead of the military parade, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic suffered an emergency stop in Baku due to the ongoing drone attacks. Notably, both Latvia and Lithuania denied transit over their airspace for Vucic’s flight, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions at play.

Furthermore, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico lamented the limitations imposed on overflight privileges, attributing it as a significant hindrance to his travel plans. The Estonian government reiterated its refusal to participate in any "propaganda events" related to the parade, further isolating Russia diplomatically.

The ongoing conflict has emerged from Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine initiated in February 2022, resulting in Russia's control over about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. Despite the warfare, U.S. authorities remain cautiously hopeful about the possibility of peace talks in the future.

As tensions escalate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for intensified international pressure on Russia, emphasizing the dangers posed to those traveling to Moscow for the parade. He noted that safety cannot be guaranteed within Russian territory and warned against any foreign military participation, declaring it unacceptable and benefitting Moscow's narrative.

Amid the commemorations for Victory Day, which marks the Soviet Union’s 1945 triumph over Nazi Germany, the ongoing conflict raises the specter of historical narratives being manipulated for geopolitical gain. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry firmly denounces such attempts, reinforcing the notion that those actions are in stark contrast with the values of freedom and democracy celebrated in Europe and Ukraine.