The Russia-Ukraine conflict has taken a peculiar turn as reports emerge of mysterious red crosses appearing on certain streets in Moscow. Newsweek, citing Ukrainian media, highlighted that the authenticity of these markings could not be independently verified. Speculation arose suggesting that these red crosses could potentially serve as targets for drone or missile attacks. Ukrainian journalist Andrey Tsaplienko, in his analysis, suggested that the crosses might have been intended as a provocative gesture aimed at trolling Russians, leading to a sense of unease among the people of Moscow.

Most of the reports regarding these crosses originated from Ukrainian journalists and circulated through social media. However, due to the lack of independent confirmation, their existence remains uncertain. Notably, Online.UA, a Russian-language Ukrainian media outlet, emphasized the significance of May 9 as a sacred date for Russians and the Kremlin, highlighting the cancellation of parades across Russia due to security concerns. The outlet also reported on photographs showing red marks near the Ministry of Defense building, raising suspicions that these markings could potentially indicate target locations for missile strikes and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

News outlet Trukha further elaborated on the matter, mentioning the alleged appearance of marks for missiles or UAVs on the streets of Moscow. In a somewhat sardonic tone, Trukha remarked that the people seemed to be in a festive mood before the celebration of May 9, hinting at the irony of such markings in light of the occasion.

It is worth noting that earlier reports indicated that Ukrainian buildings and roads had been marked with crosses and circles, seemingly designating targets for Russian forces. This development coincided with Vladimir Putin's address on Victory Day, where only a single tank was displayed, and there was no flypast.