Russia and Ukraine traded accusations over the violation of a short-term ceasefire declared by Moscow to coincide with Victory Day celebrations, marking the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.
The Kremlin said its forces shot down 264 Ukrainian drones early Friday (May 9), with Moscow officials reporting attacks on the capital and the Perm region in the Ural Mountains.
The ceasefire, declared from May 8 to 10, was meant to cover the annual festivities, including a parade in Moscow. Russia warned that any disruption would trigger a large-scale missile response targeting Kyiv, urging foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of a potential escalation.
In a separate statement, Russia's Transport Ministry said on Friday that 13 airports in the country's south had halted operations due to drone attacks. “Operations at the regional center in Rostov-on-Don, which manages air traffic in southern Russia, were temporarily suspended after a Ukrainian drone struck the administrative building of the branch 'Aviation of Southern Russia,'” the ministry said. There were no casualties, it added.
Victory Day commemorates the loss of 27 million Soviet citizens during World War II, when they pushed Nazi forces back to Berlin, where Adolf Hitler died, and the Soviet Red Army's Victory Flag was raised over the Reichstag building in May 1945.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces continued to attack positions overnight, dismissing the ceasefire as ineffective. He said Russia carried out more than 140 attacks on front-line positions early Friday, along with 10 offensives and over 850 drone attacks. “As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond similarly today. We will defend our positions and the lives of our people,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine also reported striking a Russian oil facility in Yaroslavl, deep inside Russian territory, which Kyiv described as retaliation for attacks on its cities. “Ukraine's long-range punitive measures continue in response to Russia's strikes on our cities and villages,” Zelenskyy said.
Kyiv proposed an indefinite ceasefire starting May 6, which it said Russia ignored. Moscow did not accept that proposal, and neither side has accepted the other's terms. In statements before the ceasefire, Zelenskyy criticized Russia's approach to the celebrations, saying Moscow sought a pause “to hold their parade, to safely go to the square for one hour each year, and then continue killing, killing our people and waging war.” “The Russians talked about attacks after May 9. It is strange and certainly not befitting the Russian leadership,” he added.
“Just like 81 years ago, America can now help bring peace with a fair and strong stance against the aggressor,” Zelenskyy said. “And it is important that the American people now see Russia exactly as that – as an aggressor.”
