Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow for the second consecutive night temporarily halting flights at four airports, Russian officials said, as the city prepares to host a major military parade expected to be attended by world leaders including China’s Xi Jinping.

Russian air defence units destroyed a swarm of Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow in a second night attack in a row, prompting the closure of all airports in the capital for several hours, officials said early on Tuesday.

With a wingspan measuring 25 metres, the mothership can fly for 12 hours and has a maximum range of 7,000 kilometres (4,350 miles).

Ukrainian drone strikes have heightened anxiety across Moscow ahead of this year’s May 9 parade on Red Square, where President Vladimir Putin will be watching with other leaders.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian air defence forces downed two Ukrainian drones flying towards Moscow, the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said on Wednesday.

A Ukrainian drone attack forced Moscow to close its airports for several hours, Russian officials said on Tuesday, before President Vladimir Putin will host several leaders to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

The Magura drones, as well as the Sea Baby drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), were pivotal in turning the tide of the war in the Black Sea, destroying or damaging Russian ships and other assets.