Moscow, 08 May (H.S.): The Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its fifth year since February 24, 2022, has evolved into a focal point of global diplomatic and economic tensions, with Western-backed Ukraine clashing fiercely against Russia. Russia observes Victory Day on May 9, prompting a unilateral military ceasefire announcement effective from midnight on May 8. Ukraine launched a massive drone assault on Russia Thursday night.
According to TASS news agency and The Moscow Times, Russia claims to have downed 347 Ukrainian drones in the attack. Ukraine targeted over 20 Russian regions, marking one of its largest drone operations since the war began—the previous high was 389 drones in March.
Russia's Defense Ministry stated air defense systems activated across multiple areas, including Moscow. Additional drones approached the capital during the day, disrupting air traffic: approximately 100 flights at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo airports were canceled or delayed. Notably, Ukraine had pledged to halt attacks from Tuesday midnight prior to Russia's truce declaration.
Ukraine reports nine injuries, including three children, from Russian drone strikes on its second-largest city, Kharkiv, where Russia fired 102 drones overnight, downing 92. Russian military officials have intensified security ahead of Victory Day parades, with mobile internet and messaging services suspended in Moscow on May 9. This year's parade will exclude tanks, missiles, and heavy equipment due to prevailing security concerns.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the situation as complex, with enhanced security for Victory Day. Russia warned Ukraine against disrupting celebrations, threatening massive retaliatory strikes on Kyiv. Presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov confirmed special preparations for countermeasures, while the Foreign Ministry advised foreign embassies and organizations in Kyiv to evacuate offices as a precaution.
Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of using Latvian airspace for drone attacks on civilian sites in St. Petersburg. This followed Latvia's report of Russian drones entering its territory, with two crashing early Thursday. The ministry later detailed detecting six drones in Latvian airspace around 3:20 AM Moscow time, downing one identified as a Ukrainian long-range strike drone, while five vanished near Rezekne by 4:00 AM.
Officials clarified the ceasefire spans from midnight May 8 (00:00) to May 10, halting all Russian forces' military activities involved in the special military operation. Russian strikes on Ukrainian military bases and industrial facilities in interior regions will be suspended during this period.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
