Russia and Ukraine exchange gunfire on eve of Victory Day ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating a short ceasefire announced by Moscow to coincide with Victory Day commemorations. The Kremlin reported that its forces downed 264 Ukrainian drones early on Friday, targeting the capital and the Perm region in the Ural Mountains. In response, officials in Kyiv stated that their forces had launched attempted attacks on Russian territory.

The truce, declared from May 8 to May 10, was intended to cover annual celebrations including a military parade in Moscow. Russia had warned that any disruption would trigger a large-scale missile response against Kyiv, prompting foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital before potential escalation.

Separately, the Russian transport ministry announced that 13 airports in southern Russia’s south had halted operations due to drone attacks. A Ukrainian drone struck the administrative building of the ‘Southern Russia Air Navigation’ branch in Rostov-on-Don, temporarily suspending air traffic management operations at the regional centre.

Victory Day commemorations mark the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces continued to attack positions overnight, dismissing the ceasefire as ineffective. He reported that Russia had carried out over 140 attacks on front-line positions by early morning, alongside more than 850 drone attacks.

Ukraine also reported striking a Russian oil facility in Yaroslavl, deep inside Russian territory, in response to attacks on its cities. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s long-range sanctions continued in response to Russian strikes on its cities and villages.

Source: Al Jazeera