Ukraine has breached Moscow’s self-imposed ceasefire by launching a series of drone attacks on Russia overnight and into Friday morning, causing a significant fire at a critical oil refinery. The Yaroslavl plant, located nearly 500 miles from the Ukrainian border, was destroyed by a barrage of Kyiv’s ‘kamikaze’ drones hitting various targets across more than a dozen Russian regions, prompting a retaliatory response from Moscow.
This incident marks the latest in a series of long-distance strikes inside Russia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemning Moscow for its actions. Zelensky emphasized the strategic importance of targeting the Yaroslavl plant, which played a significant role in funding Russia’s military efforts. He praised the Ukrainian Armed Forces and military intelligence for carrying out what he described as a just operation.
Amid escalating tensions, Russia retaliated with over 140 attacks and approximately 850 drone strikes, disregarding their own declared ceasefire. Russian troops launched multiple assaults on Ukrainian positions on the ground, including near a military facility in Rostov-on-Don, where massive explosions occurred.
The Kremlin’s declared Victory Day ceasefire was violated by the drone attacks, coinciding with preparations for Putin’s attendance at the military parade in Red Square. Russia claimed to have downed over 50 Ukrainian drones in the Moscow region, with reports of intercepted drones causing collateral damage.
The disruption caused by the drone attacks extended to Moscow’s aviation infrastructure, with drone-related incidents impacting Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports. Meanwhile, fires raged in the industrial area of Rostov-on-Don, targeting military and chemical facilities.
Despite the temporary ceasefire proposal by the Kremlin for the Victory Day celebrations, tensions remained high between the two nations. Zelensky criticized the ceasefire attempt as a mere show, vowing to respond to Russian aggression with proportional measures.
As the annual military parade in Moscow approaches, reports suggest a lack of available military equipment for display, leading to the recall of experienced veterans to bolster the numbers in the parade. Russia has faced significant casualties since the invasion began in February 2022, with Putin reportedly taking precautions underground due to fears of internal threats.
The situation remains tense as both sides engage in military actions and countermeasures, with the conflict showing no signs of immediate resolution.