Ukraine and Russia on Friday launched major attacks on each other, damaging a two-day unilateral ceasefire announced by Moscow around its World War II victory day celebrations.
Zelenskyy Reports Heavy Russian Attacks
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia carried out more than 850 drone strikes and over 140 attacks on Ukrainian frontline positions in the past 24 hours. Zelenskyy accused Russia of failing the truce, saying there was “not even a token attempt to cause fire on the front”. Ukraine’s Air Force reported 56 drones in the last few hours.
“As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond in kind today as well,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
Russia Claims to Have Shot Down Drones
Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry claims that it had shot down 264 Ukrainian drones during the first hours of the ceasefire. Earlier, Moscow had announced it would halt frontline fighting and long-range strikes on military infrastructure during the May 8-10 truce period.
Victory Day Parade Amid Conflict
The ceasefire happens on the same day as Russia’s annual Victory Day parade on May 9. President Vladimir Putin has used the occasion as a central symbol of national pride to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine dismissed the temporary truce as a “propaganda measure” aimed at protecting the military day parade in Moscow. Zelenskyy also warned foreign leaders against attending the event, saying Kyiv could otherwise guarantee safety amid escalating attacks.
“We have also received messages from some states close to Russia, saying that their representatives plan to be in Moscow... A strange desire... in these days. We do not recommend it,” Zelenskyy said.
Reduced Parade and Security Measures
The attacks have created unease in Russia ahead of the parade, normally a grand show of force displaying tanks and missiles, which marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Moscow has announced that it will omit military hardware from the procession for the first time in nearly 20 years. The number of foreign guests attending the Parade has also reduced; only leaders of Belarus, Malaysia, and Laos will attend, alongside leaders of two Russia-backed Georgian breakaway republics not recognised by the UN, according to the Kremlin. Moscow has also shut down intermittent city-wide internet until Sunday.
Stalled Peace Efforts
Despite efforts to negotiate an end to the war that has shown little progress and have been sidelined by the Iran conflict, Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from four occupied regions claimed by Moscow.
