As Russia prepares for its annual Victory Day parade, security measures have been significantly heightened, including temporary airport closures and mobile internet disruptions in Moscow. The parade itself has been scaled back and will proceed without heavy military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades, a move stemming from concerns over potential Ukrainian drone strikes. These security enhancements come as Ukraine has demonstrated its capacity to breach Moscow’s air defenses, further fueling anxieties surrounding the national celebration.
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Moscow Airport Sells for Half Off, a Sign of Russia’s Global Isolation
The fact that a major Moscow airport, initially put up for auction with a minimum bid of $1.7 billion, ultimately sold for half that price, is a pretty stark indicator of Russia’s current situation. You have to wonder why anyone would even bother. The airport had been seized by the Russian government, which immediately raises red flags. It suggests the new owner might face the same fate down the line, an unstable investment at best. It’s hard to imagine wanting to own an asset that could be snatched away at any moment.… Continue reading
On Thursday, Russian authorities temporarily closed five airports near Moscow, citing unspecified safety concerns. The closures, affecting Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky, and Kaluga airports, followed reports of air raid sirens and downed Ukrainian missiles in several Russian regions. While officials emphasized prioritizing flight safety, the closures coincided with increased speculation regarding Russian air defenses potentially causing an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash and a recent large-scale drone attack on Moscow. All airports reopened later that day.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood