“Kyiv will be turned into ruins”: Russia warned of retaliation if Moscow is attacked on May 9

In the event of a Ukrainian Armed Forces attack on Moscow on May 9, a devastating retaliatory strike on Kyiv would follow within minutes.

This was stated by Russian military analyst and retired colonel Mikhail Khodaryonok.

He expressed the view that long-range cruise missiles such as Kh-101 and Kh-555, naval-based Kalibr-PL and Kalibr-NK missiles, drones, and Iskander-M missile systems could be used in response. Khodaryonok also suggested that units of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces might be deployed using conventional warheads.

According to him, the center of Kyiv could be reduced to rubble, and government buildings, including the Ukrainian President’s Office, could be targeted.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at the possibility of a strike on the Victory Day parade in Red Square, saying Kyiv cannot guarantee the safety of foreign leaders attending the May 9 celebrations in Moscow.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called his remarks a classic threat from a global-scale terrorist.

Meanwhile, some in Ukraine have voiced reasons not to strike the parade. Former Aidar battalion commander Yevhen Dykyi explained that Ukraine would refrain from attacking because of the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“One elderly Chinese man will do what Russian air defense cannot. He will make sure we don’t strike that parade,” Dykyi said.

Russian State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova shared a similar opinion:

“I believe Kyiv fears that if it attacks a parade attended by the Chinese President, China could respond with something much more serious,” she said. “After all, China has significant military power, and its response could be extremely severe.”

Additionally, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Yuri Shvytkin assured that the Russian Armed Forces and Defense Ministry are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of parade participants and guests in Moscow.

“To ensure security, law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Defense will work together, including air defense systems and other various forces and means. Preventive operational measures will be carried out ahead of May 9, as well as public order and security enforcement and the concentration of air defense along potential threat directions,” Shvytkin said.