Russia says Ukraine launched a major drone attack after Moscow shunned ceasefire offer – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Russian air defenses destroyed 347 Ukrainian drones overnight into Thursday, according to the Defense Ministry, in what stands as the second-largest single-night aerial assault since the full-scale invasion began more than four years ago. The drones reached 20 regions, including the capital, just days after Moscow rejected a proposed ceasefire and as preparations intensify for the May 9 Victory Day holiday. The scale of the operation underscores how both sides continue to press military advantages even as diplomatic efforts stall.
Details of the Overnight Strikes
The Defense Ministry described the incoming drones as having been neutralized across a wide area, with Moscow itself among the affected zones. This attack follows the previous record of 389 drones launched by Ukraine in March, highlighting a pattern of escalating long-range strikes. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, reported shooting down 92 of 102 Russian drones sent in the same period, illustrating the mutual intensity of these exchanges. Russia maintains a clear numerical edge in drone deployments, routinely sending hundreds in coordinated waves. The latest barrage arrived amid growing unease over the security of major public events scheduled for the coming weekend.
Ceasefire Efforts Collapse
Earlier in the week, Russia announced a unilateral pause in hostilities for Friday and Saturday to mark the Victory Day period. Ukraine responded by suspending its own operations starting Tuesday night. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow disregarded the gesture and continued its attacks without interruption. “Russia has not stopped any type of its military activity,” Zelenskyy said in his Wednesday evening address. “Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Ukraine will act symmetrically.” The breakdown leaves little room for immediate de-escalation as the holiday approaches.
Security Measures in Moscow
Authorities have imposed strict limits on communications in the capital for May 9. Mobile internet and text messaging services will be unavailable throughout the day, according to the Ministry of Digital Development. Home broadband and Wi-Fi connections remain unaffected. The traditional military parade on Red Square will also proceed without its usual display of tanks, missiles, and heavy equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Officials cited the current operational situation as the reason for the scaled-back format. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed the changes directly to Ukrainian actions, describing them as terrorist activity. These steps reflect heightened concerns that Kyiv’s expanded drone and missile reach could target the celebrations. A short list of the main restrictions includes: – Complete shutdown of mobile data and SMS services
– Exclusion of heavy military hardware from the parade
– Continued blocking of non-approved websites even on the government’s approved “white list”
Broader Context and Outlook
The drone exchanges occur against a backdrop of stalled U.S.-led peace initiatives and rising security alerts in Russia. Victory Day remains the country’s most significant secular holiday, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany, and any disruption carries strong symbolic weight. Both sides appear determined to demonstrate resolve ahead of the events, leaving the immediate path to any sustained reduction in fighting unclear.
