Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russia after ceasefire rejection
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 7
Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russia after ceasefire rejection
13 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 7
Russian officials said air defences downed 347 drones overnight over 20 regions, including Moscow, with dozens more launched later and nearly 100 flights disrupted at the capital’s main airports.
The barrage, Ukraine’s second-largest of the war, came before Victory Day as Zelenskyy said Kyiv would respond symmetrically after Russia ignored its proposed truce and kept attacking.
Russia plans mobile internet and text shutdowns in Moscow on 9 May and will omit military hardware from its parade, while Ukraine said Russian overnight strikes wounded nine people in Kharkiv.
With its oil industry under fire, can Moscow's air defenses stop Ukraine's new long-range missiles?
As Ukraine's drones reach the Ural Mountains, is Russia's vast territory becoming its greatest military weakness?
The May 8-9 Drone Attacks: Ukraine’s Strategic Strike Deep Inside Russia’s Heartland
Overview
In early May 2026, Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for Victory Day but threatened massive retaliation if disrupted. Ukraine rejected this ceasefire and launched a large-scale drone attack targeting over 20 Russian regions, including a key military hub near Moscow. The strikes caused significant disruption, including damage in Moscow and civilian casualties, triggering a security panic that led to airport closures, internet blackouts, and a scaled-back Victory Day parade. Ukraine’s success relied on advanced drone tactics, electronic warfare, and increased domestic production, exposing Russia’s vulnerabilities and forcing it to redeploy defenses. This escalation heightened risks of further conflict while demonstrating the growing impact of drone warfare globally.