Russian and Ukrainian forces keep fighting as ceasefire fails and airports suspend operations
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 8
Russian and Ukrainian forces keep fighting as ceasefire fails and airports suspend operations
11 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 8
Russia said it downed 390 drones and six Neptune missiles after midnight, while a strike in Rostov-on-Don disrupted 13 southern airports before flights resumed.
Moscow and Kyiv blamed each other for violating the two-day truce, as Zelenskyy said Russian attacks continued and Ukraine reported fresh strikes on oil sites in Yaroslavl and Perm.
Security fears have scaled back Victory Day events, with no heavy military hardware in the parade and mobile internet restrictions in Moscow amid warnings of retaliation if the capital is attacked.
With its oil industry under constant drone attack, is Russia’s war economy facing a potential collapse?
Can Russia's air defenses adapt fast enough to counter Ukraine's evolving drone technology?
As cheap drones dominate the battlefield, is the era of expensive, conventional military power over?
Over 6,000 Shahed Drones Launched in May 2026 Amid Failed Russia-Ukraine Ceasefires
Overview
In early May 2026, Ukraine declared a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire, but Russia immediately rejected it and launched thousands of strikes, including deadly attacks on civilian sites. Despite Russia’s own ceasefire during Victory Day, attacks continued, prompting Ukraine to carry out deep strikes inside Russia, targeting key oil and military facilities. This escalation unfolded amid a fierce drone war: Russia relied on mass-produced Shahed drones to overwhelm defenses, while Ukraine used advanced, precision drones and interceptor systems to counter these waves. The intense drone assaults disrupted civilian life in both countries, leading Russia to impose strict security measures. Meanwhile, international attention was divided by other global conflicts, leaving peace talks stalled and the conflict deeply entrenched.