Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 347 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the largest aerial attacks since the beginning of the war, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry. The large-scale strike came amid rising tensions ahead of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations and after Moscow rejected Kyiv’s earlier ceasefire proposal this week.
Russian authorities said the drones were intercepted across more than 20 regions, including areas surrounding Moscow. The assault marked Ukraine’s second-largest drone offensive since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over four years ago, surpassed only by an attack in March involving 389 drones. Officials also reported additional drone launches during daylight hours on Thursday, some again targeting the Russian capital.
The attacks disrupted operations at Moscow’s major airports, with Russian media reporting that nearly 100 flights at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo airports were either delayed or cancelled. Security measures in the capital were further tightened ahead of the annual Victory Day commemorations on May 9, one of Russia’s most significant national events marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
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The escalation followed a failed ceasefire effort between the two sides. Russia had announced a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday surrounding the Victory Day events, while Ukraine had earlier declared its own temporary suspension of hostilities beginning Tuesday midnight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, accused Moscow of violating the spirit of de-escalation by continuing attacks on Ukrainian territory despite Kyiv’s stated willingness to maintain “complete silence.”
In his remarks, Zelenskyy said Russia’s military operations had continued with drones, missiles, artillery shelling, and glide bombs targeting civilian infrastructure, including Ukraine’s power grid and railway system. Ukrainian officials also reported that a drone strike in Kharkiv injured nine people, among them three children. Zelenskyy criticised Moscow’s focus on securing its parade celebrations while, according to him, continuing military operations against Ukraine.
As security concerns intensified, Russian authorities announced sweeping restrictions in Moscow during the Victory Day events, including the suspension of mobile internet and text messaging services on May 9. In an unusual move, the annual military parade will reportedly not feature tanks, missile systems, or other heavy military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades. The Russian Defence Ministry cited the “current operational situation” as the reason for scaling back the display.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said additional security measures were necessary due to what he described as a “complex operational situation,” emphasising that citizen safety remains the government’s top priority. Russia has repeatedly warned Ukraine against attempts to disrupt the celebrations and hinted at possible large-scale retaliatory strikes if attacks continue during the commemorative events.
Several foreign leaders are expected to attend the Victory Day ceremonies in Moscow, including dignitaries from Belarus, Malaysia, and Laos. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stated that some countries had informed Ukraine of plans to send representatives to Russia for the celebrations, but he openly discouraged such visits amid the ongoing conflict. The developments come as international diplomatic efforts, including US-backed peace discussions, continue to show little progress toward ending the war.
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