MOSCOW/KYIV: Russia and Ukraine launched major attacks on each other on Friday despite a two-day unilateral ceasefire declared by Moscow ahead of its World War II Victory Day commemorations.
Russia’s defence ministry said its forces were responding “symmetrically” to Ukrainian attacks during the truce, which Kyiv never formally agreed to.
The ministry said Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across the frontline along with tank and artillery attacks, adding that Russian troops were responding accordingly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of continuing attacks despite announcing the ceasefire.
“On the Russian side, there was not even a token attempt to cease fire on the front. As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond in kind today as well,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He said Russian forces targeted frontline positions overnight, while Ukraine’s air force separately reported shooting down 56 Russian drones near the frontline.
Yaroslavl, more than 700 kilometers from Ukraine’s state border. An oil sector facility that was of great importance for financing Russia’s war.
I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine and our military intelligence for this manifestation of justice. Ukraine’s long-range sanctions… pic.twitter.com/42OeP0K44t
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 8, 2026
Russia, meanwhile, claimed it intercepted 264 Ukrainian drones within the first hours of the truce.
“During the period between 12:00 am and 7:00 am Moscow time, air defence duty assets intercepted and destroyed 264 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles,” the Russian defence ministry said, adding the interceptions occurred across more than a dozen regions, including Moscow.
The escalation comes ahead of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, one of the country’s most important national holidays marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Moscow had announced a unilateral ceasefire covering Friday and Saturday, while Ukraine earlier said it would suspend hostilities from midnight Tuesday.
However, Zelenskyy said Russia ignored the gesture and continued attacks involving drones, missiles, artillery shelling and glide bombs against civilian areas, including Ukraine’s power grid and railway infrastructure.
Over the course of last night, the Russian army continued to strike Ukrainian positions. As of 7 a.m., more than 140 strikes on frontline positions had been recorded. During the night, the Russians carried out 10 assaults, the largest number of them in the Slovyansk sector. They…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 8, 2026
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, local officials said a Russian drone strike wounded nine people, including three children.
Tensions have intensified further as US-led peace efforts continue to struggle.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council head Rustem Umerov was in the United States for talks with officials from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Russian authorities have meanwhile tightened security ahead of Victory Day events in Moscow.
State media reported that mobile internet access and text messaging services would be suspended in the Russian capital during the celebrations.
For the first time in nearly two decades, Moscow’s annual military parade will reportedly not feature tanks, missiles or other heavy military equipment.
Russia’s defence ministry cited the “current operational situation” for the decision, amid concerns over possible Ukrainian drone or missile attacks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said additional security measures were necessary because of the “rather complex operational situation”.
Among foreign dignitaries expected to attend the celebrations are Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Zelenskyy criticised foreign participation in the Moscow events, saying Ukraine did not recommend visits under current conditions.
Russia has also warned Ukraine of possible retaliation, including what officials described as a potential mass strike on Kyiv if the celebrations are disrupted.
Ukraine’s military said it shot down 92 of 102 drones launched overnight by Russian forces, while noting that Moscow continued to maintain a significant advantage in drone warfare capabilities.
