A Ukrainian drone struck an upmarket high-rise building in Moscow this week, breaching the Russian capital's air defenses just days before the country's annual Victory Day military parade commemorating the end of World War II.

The attack targeted a tower in an upscale area of Moscow as the city prepares for Saturday's scaled-back military parade. The incident represents an expansion of Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, allowing Ukrainian forces to reach targets deep within Russian territory.

Russia is set to hold its traditional Victory Day celebrations on May 9, though this year's parade will be smaller in scale compared to previous years. The annual event typically features military displays and commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to attend the Moscow parade, according to Russian television reports. His planned attendance would make him one of the few European Union leaders participating in the Russian celebration amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine.

The drone attack highlights the ongoing conflict's reach into Russian territory, as Ukrainian forces have increasingly demonstrated the ability to strike targets far from the front lines. Moscow's air defense systems, despite their presence around the capital, were unable to prevent the latest incident.