Moscow and Kyiv Exchange Accusations Over Victory Day Ceasefire Breaches
Both Russia and Ukraine have levied accusations of ceasefire violations against each other, coinciding with commemorations for the Soviet Union's Victory Day. The Russian defence ministry reported over 1,000 breaches within the conflict zone since the ceasefire began at midnight local time (21:00 GMT Thursday), including numerous artillery and drone strikes.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that approximately 20 drones had been downed near the capital within the first two hours of the truce. Ukrainian strikes were also reported on industrial sites in Perm, Yaroslavl, Rostov, and Grozny. Additionally, 13 airports in southern Russia suspended operations following a drone attack.
Conversely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed more than 140 attacks on Ukrainian positions and over 850 drone strikes in the initial hours of the truce. He asserted that Russia had made no genuine attempt to honour a ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a ceasefire for 8-9 May ahead of Saturday's Victory Day celebrations. Kyiv had previously called for an indefinite truce starting on 6 May. Russia's defence ministry had issued a warning against any attempts to disrupt the Red Square parade, threatening a “retaliatory, massive missile strike” on Kyiv if Moscow were attacked, and advising foreign diplomats to depart the Ukrainian capital before 9 May.
For the first time in nearly two decades, military hardware will be absent from the Moscow parade, as the capital remains on high alert. Mobile internet access for residents in Moscow and St Petersburg has also been restricted for security reasons. The traditional attendance of numerous foreign guests has dwindled, with only leaders from Belarus, Malaysia, and Laos expected to be present.
