Zelensky warns Ukrainian drones may fly over Moscow on May 9
Synopsis
Zelensky used the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan to deliver a pointed message: Russian drones may fear Ukrainian ones enough to strip Moscow's Victory Day parade of its military hardware. The warning doubles as a strategic signal — that Ukraine's drone capability now reaches the Kremlin's doorstep, reshaping the psychological calculus of the war.
Key Takeaways
Zelensky warned on 4 May 2025 that Ukrainian drones could fly over Red Square during Russia's Victory Day parade on 9 May .
He claimed Russia may hold the parade without military equipment — reportedly for the first time in decades.
Speaking at the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan , he urged European nations to maintain and tighten sanctions on Moscow .
Zelensky warned that the unresolved conflict involving Iran could raise the cost of living globally and trigger major political shifts in 2025 .
He called for joint European drone production and deeper defence cooperation, framing Ukraine's drone deals as a contribution to continental security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, 4 May warned that Ukrainian drones could fly over Red Square during Russia's Victory Day parade on 9 May, citing what he described as a steadily weakening Russian military. Speaking at the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, Zelensky said the parade may proceed without any military equipment — a prospect he framed as evidence of Moscow's declining capacity.
Zelensky's Warning on Victory Day Parade
"If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment — and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square," Zelensky posted on X. The remark underscores Kyiv's confidence in its drone programme as a strategic tool capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, including the capital. Russia has not officially commented on the claim.
Pressure on Putin Toward Diplomacy
Addressing European leaders in Yerevan, Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin will decide this summer whether to "expand the war or move to diplomacy," adding: "And we must push him toward diplomacy." He argued that maintaining and tightening sanctions remains the most effective lever, urging member states to resist any move to ease economic pressure on Moscow. He specifically thanked nations actively working against Russia's so-called "shadow oil fleet," which analysts say has helped Russia circumvent Western energy sanctions.
Middle East Instability and Cost-of-Living Warning
Zelensky also addressed the conflict in the Middle East, warning that the ongoing war involving Iran remains unresolved and could generate prolonged regional instability. He cautioned that a protracted conflict may drive up the cost of living across all countries this year and "could lead to major political shifts." He called for a long-term solution for the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, and expressed concern for the people of Iran.
Europe's Defence and Drone Cooperation
The Ukrainian president pushed for deeper defence integration among European nations, stressing that energy and security cooperation must be "real cooperation" rather than symbolic commitments. He urged European countries to help each other prepare for winter amid ongoing energy challenges. Zelensky also promoted Ukraine's drone deals as a vehicle for joint production and shared continental protection. "I believe Europe should be able to produce everything it needs to defend against everything — all the ballistic attacks and all other weapons — on its own," he said. He added that drone deals "mean joint work, joint production, shared protection" and called on European partners to move forward. As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Zelensky's Yerevan appearance signals a concerted push to keep European unity intact ahead of what Kyiv regards as a pivotal summer.
Point of View
Whether accurate or not, chips away at the carefully curated image of Russian military might that the Kremlin uses domestically. More significantly, his Yerevan address reveals a strategic calculation: Europe's unity is showing cracks under war fatigue and economic pressure, and Zelensky is deploying every tool — sanctions rhetoric, drone diplomacy, Middle East linkage — to hold the coalition together ahead of what he believes will be a defining summer. The Iran cost-of-living warning is a notable addition to his playbook, connecting the war's consequences to European voters' kitchen-table concerns in a way that pure security arguments have struggled to do.
NationPress
5 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Zelensky warn about Ukrainian drones flying over Moscow on May 9?
Zelensky issued the warning to signal Ukraine's growing drone capability and to suggest that Russia fears a strike on Red Square during its Victory Day parade on 9 May. He claimed Russia may hold the parade without military equipment for the first time in many years, citing Moscow's weakening military capacity.
What did Zelensky say at the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan?
Speaking at the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan on 4 May, Zelensky urged European nations to maintain sanctions on Russia, resist easing economic pressure, and deepen defence cooperation through joint drone production. He also warned about Middle East instability and its potential impact on global living costs.
What are Ukraine's drone deals that Zelensky mentioned?
Zelensky described Ukraine's drone deals as agreements for joint production and shared continental protection with European partners. He argued that such deals represent real security cooperation and called on European nations to move forward on them to build a self-sufficient continental defence capability.
How does the Iran conflict factor into Zelensky's speech?
Zelensky warned that the unresolved war involving Iran could cause prolonged regional instability and raise the cost of living across all countries in 2025, potentially triggering major political shifts. He called for a long-term solution for the Strait of Hormuz and expressed concern for the people of Iran.
What did Zelensky say about Russia's future moves this summer?
Zelensky said President Putin will decide this summer whether to expand the war or move toward diplomacy, and stressed that European pressure through sustained sanctions is the key lever to push Russia toward a diplomatic path.
