Russian and Ukrainian forces continued launching drone, missile, and artillery strikes on Friday despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark Victory Day celebrations commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The war, now in its fourth year since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, remains Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, with both countries accusing each other of violating the proposed truce.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence units intercepted 264 Ukrainian drones overnight, including attempted attacks targeting Moscow and the Perm region in the Ural Mountains.
Moscow also accused Ukrainian forces of continuing assaults on Russian military positions and civilian infrastructure in the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk despite the ceasefire announcement.
Ukraine, however, dismissed Russia’s claims of restraint. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian troops continued shelling Ukrainian positions overnight, insisting Moscow had made “not even a symbolic effort” to stop the fighting.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would keep responding to attacks while defending its territory and citizens.
Tensions have intensified ahead of Saturday’s Victory Day parade at Red Square, one of Russia’s most important annual military ceremonies. Russia warned that any Ukrainian attempt to disrupt the event would result in a significant missile strike on Kyiv.
Moscow also advised foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital if attacks occur during the celebrations.
Security has been heavily reinforced around the Kremlin and across central Moscow amid fears of possible Ukrainian strikes. Additional military patrols and security personnel have been deployed, while some metro stations are expected to shut during the commemorations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected Western media reports claiming Putin’s security had been upgraded due to fears of a coup or assassination attempt, saying heightened protection is routine during major state events.
The Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people during World War II, including millions of Ukrainians, before Soviet forces captured Berlin in 1945.
This year’s Victory Day parade is expected to feature fewer military vehicles and hardware displays due to concerns over potential Ukrainian attacks.
The Kremlin has increasingly used the annual event to rally public backing for the war in Ukraine, even as the prolonged conflict continues to strain Russian society and businesses through repeated internet disruptions and tighter security restrictions.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with Ukraine rejecting Russia’s demands that it surrender territories seized since the invasion began.
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