Russia says Ukraine launched a major drone attack after Moscow shunned ceasefire offer
Russian air defenses shot down 347 Ukrainian drones overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday, in what appeared to be a massive attack after Moscow. He rejected the ceasefire in Kiev Tensions escalated at the beginning of the week regarding Russia’s upcoming move Victory Day celebrations.
According to the Ministry of Defense, in Ukraine’s second largest air strike since then, incoming drones destroyed more than 20 Russian regions, including Moscow. All-out invasion of Russia more than four years ago. The biggest was last March when it launched 389 drones.
The attack took place before Russia’s most important secular holiday, the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian officials announced unilateral ceasefire Friday and Saturday in Ukraine.
Ukraine responded by suspending hostilities as of midnight Tuesday. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Moscow ignored this goodwill gesture and launched new attacks.
“Russia has not stopped any of its military activities. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Ukraine will act symmetrically,” Zelenskyy said in his regular video speech on Wednesday evening.
Tensions rose as Russia’s Victory Day celebrations approached and U.S.-led peace efforts gained no traction.
All mobile internet access and text messaging services will be shut down in the Russian capital on May 9, state media reported on Thursday, citing the country’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.
Additionally, for the first time in nearly two decades, the traditional parade in Moscow will not feature the usual tanks, missiles and other military equipment.
Russian officials say they are concerned about possible Ukrainian attacks as Kiev expands its long-range drone and missile capabilities.
The Russian Ministry of Defense cited “the current operational situation” as the reason for excluding military equipment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed Ukraine for the scaled-back of celebrations and tighter security in Moscow and accused Kiev of “terrorist activity” in an apparent reference to drone strikes.
The restrictions will also include websites on the Russian government’s so-called “whitelist”, a group of state-sanctioned online services made available during the country’s increasingly common disconnections.
Home internet and Wi-Fi will not be affected, officials said.
The military said Ukrainian air defenses shot down 92 of the 102 drones Russia launched during the night.
Russia has a significant advantage in drone numbers, regularly deploying hundreds in a single attack.
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