LONDON — The Russian Defense Ministry announced a significant Ukrainian drone assault overnight into Thursday, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stating that scores of Ukrainian aerial vehicles were intercepted en route to the capital city.
The Russian Defense Ministry declared via Telegram that its armed forces neutralized a minimum of 427 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles through Thursday. Moscow exclusively releases the count of Ukrainian drones and other projectiles it asserts to have intercepted.
Sobyanin indicated that as of Thursday afternoon, at least 41 drones were downed while heading towards the capital. First responders, he mentioned in Telegram posts, were dispatched to several locations where falling drone fragments were reported.
The Ukrainian air force conveyed that Russia also proceeded with its long-distance offensives overnight. The air force communicated on Telegram that Moscow deployed 102 drones into the country overnight, of which 92 were either intercepted or disabled. Eight drones made impact across six separate sites, according to the air force.
Security personnel armed with machine gun patrol in central Moscow, Russia, on May 5, 2026.Anastasia Barashkova/Reuters
The State Emergency Services of Ukraine communicated that at least four individuals sustained injuries from Russian bombardments in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, one additional person was wounded by a Russian strike in the northeastern Sumy region, and seven individuals – including two minors – were injured in Kharkiv.
Cross-border hostilities have persisted despite both Kyiv and Moscow publicly announcing their respective temporary ceasefires.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a solo truce on May 8 and May 9 to coincide with the annual "Victory Day" festivities, commemorating the anniversary of the conclusion of World War II.
Zelenskyy then stated Ukraine would uphold its own 24-hour ceasefire commencing at midnight on May 5. Russia did not participate in the truce, sustaining missile and drone strikes throughout Ukraine, as well as frontline operations.
Zelenskyy stated in a Wednesday announcement, "We can verify that the Russian side has subverted the ceasefire agreement," adding that Kyiv would determine potential ensuing actions.
Rescuers work at the site of the private house hit by a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on May 6, 2026.Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Reuters
"Ukraine clearly articulated its intention to reciprocate in kind, considering Russia's continuous appeals via media outlets and social platforms for a cessation of hostilities during the Moscow parade," Zelenskyy noted, referencing the scheduled military spectacle in Moscow's Red Square on May 9.
Russia's Defense Ministry cautioned that it would "initiate a retaliatory, extensive missile barrage on the center of Kyiv" if Ukraine targeted the Victory Day celebrations.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy once more denounced Moscow's ongoing assaults. "Russia persists in killing civilians while exhibiting completely illogical concern solely about a few hours of quiet in a section of Moscow," he declared, alluding to the May 9 ceremonies.
"Ukraine will act equitably — routinely. We put forth a cessation of hostilities commencing at midnight on May 6. Yesterday and today, this agreement has been breached by Russia," Zelenskyy continued.
"As a direct and mirroring response to Russian strikes, our extensive sanctions will be implemented; corresponding to Russia's eagerness to advance towards diplomacy, we shall proceed along a diplomatic trajectory," he concluded.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com