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The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the downing of 105 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones over eleven regions. On Tuesday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported a new Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian capital on the eve of Victory Day, which commemorates the Red Army’s defeat of Nazi Germany.

“The Russian Air Defense Force repelled the attack of two drones flying toward Moscow,” he said, referring to the downing of unmanned aerial vehicles in the Moscow region that occurred the previous night. “Emergency services specialists are working at the site where the drone fragments fell,” the Moscow Major added. Earlier, several Telegram channels specializing in monitoring drone activity in the Moscow region reported that around 17 Ukrainian drones were flying over six Russian regions toward Moscow.

In the south of the Russian capital, mobile phone and internet services were disrupted. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that another thirteen drones had been shot down—seven over the Kaluga region, four over the Tula region, and two more in the Moscow region.

In the morning, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the downing of 105 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones over eleven regions of the country, including the Moscow region.

According to the military report, 19 drones were intercepted near Moscow, where a military parade will be held this Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany—an event expected to be attended by about thirty foreign leaders.

In his visits, he will emphasize his support for multilateralism, one of the core principles championed by the BRICS. On the night of Tuesday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva will travel to Russia to attend the celebration of Victory Day, commemorating the Red Army’s triumph over Nazi Germany.

These traditional celebrations will take place on Thursday in Moscow, where Lula will hold a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the following day. Eduardo Saboia, Brazil’s Secretary for Asia at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, explained that Lula plans to discuss the commercial relationship between the two countries, which is largely based on the supply of Russian fertilizers to the Brazilian agricultural sector.

Lula will also emphasize his support for multilateralism, one of the core principles championed by the BRICS, the economic cooperation bloc founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The text reads, “Ukraine attacks Moscow with drones as Russia prepares for Victory Day parade. Victory Day is an important holiday in the Russian calendar. Several world leaders, including President Lula, will attend the parade.”

Later, starting on May 11, Lula will make a state visit to China, where he will be received by President Xi Jinping. Saboia stated that Lula’s agenda with the Chinese leader will be similar, but noted that the Asian power maintains a strategic partnership with Brazil “with a high level of institutionalization,” covering broad cooperation at all levels.

China is the main destination for Brazilian exports worldwide, making the commercial segment of particular interest. Beyond that, cooperation on other matters will also be reviewed, such as the fight against climate change and the shared intention of both countries to strengthen multilateralism.

“Brazil and China have a much broader agenda than any considerations regarding a situation that is clearly concerning,” said Saboia, who dismissed the idea that the dialogue between Xi and Lula would have any direct connection to the trade war triggered by United States President Donald Trump.

“Brazil values its relationship with the United States,” the diplomat said, stressing that the ties with China “do not contradict” that relationship.

During his stay in Beijing, Lula will also participate in a ministerial meeting of the Forum of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and China, which will serve as a preparatory session for the upcoming summit of that forum, to be held in Colombia later this year.

The Christian Democratic Union leader was elected by the Bundestag in a second attempt. On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed conservative Friedrich Merz as chancellor, after he secured the absolute majority required in the Bundestag on his second attempt to be confirmed as the new head of government.

“In the name of the Federal Republic of Germany and based on Article 63, paragraph 2, sentence 2, I appoint Mr. Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor. Berlin, May 6, 2025. The Federal President,” he stated while reading the certificate of appointment. After receiving and thanking the president for the congratulations, Merz left the room in Bellevue Palace, the president’s official residence, to return to the Bundestag, where he is to be sworn in before the members of parliament.

He will then officially announce the composition of his government, in which his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will hold seven ministries, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy. The Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) will take charge of the Interior Ministry and two other ministries, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) will appoint seven ministers, among them the Vice Chancellor, the Finance Minister, and the Defense Minister.

Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to hand over the office to Merz as his successor at 17:45 GMT. Merz was elected as new chancellor by the Bundestag in a second attempt, after failing to obtain the necessary majority of 316 votes in the first round — an unprecedented situation in the German history.

The far-right leader thus managed to reach what is known as the “chancellor majority,” securing 325 votes in favor, against 289 votes opposed, with one abstention and three invalid votes. Hours earlier, in the first attempt, Merz fell short by six votes to reach the required absolute majority, which caused a major surprise since the conservative bloc and the Social Democrats had a margin of 12 votes to pass the vote.