Russia, Ukraine Exchange Drone Strikes Amid Failed Ceasefire Ahead of Victory Day

Russia and Ukraine exchanged waves of drone attacks on Friday, May 8, 2026, shattering Moscow's declared two-day unilateral ceasefire meant to coincide with its Victory Day commemorations. Ukrainian forces launched strikes on Russian oil depots in Yaroslavl and Perm, while Russia fired 67 drones at Ukraine overnight, the lowest number in nearly a month, according to Ukrainian air force reports.

Ukraine dismissed the Russian ceasefire as a tactical maneuver to protect the May 9 military parade in Red Square, where President Vladimir Putin planned a defiant address linking Soviet WWII victory to the ongoing war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the truce offer, accusing Moscow of ignoring Ukraine's own proposal for a mutual pause, and vowed continued retaliation for Russian attacks. Ukrainian drones also damaged an air navigation center in Rostov-on-Don, prompting the closure of 13 southern Russian airports.

Russia's Defence Ministry claimed it had intercepted over 400 Ukrainian drones since midnight and pledged 'symmetric' responses. The Kremlin warned of a massive strike on Kyiv if the parade were disrupted, prompting security advisories from several foreign missions. The EU, Britain, and Germany condemned the threat, while Iran's embassy in Kyiv urged its citizens to avoid government and military sites on May 8 and 9.

Ukrainian officials reported no new security orders, with one lawmaker stating, 'We're just giving (the Russians) the finger.' President Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine would continue striking in response to Russian assaults. Military hardware will not appear in Saturday's Moscow parade for the first time in nearly two decades, amid heightened security and intermittent internet shutdowns.

The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.