Russia said on Thursday that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed nearly 350 Ukrainian drones overnight, as tensions escalated ahead of Moscow’s World War II Victory Day celebrations.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, a total of 347 Ukrainian drones were shot down between 1800 GMT and 0400 GMT in one of the largest drone assaults reported in recent weeks.
The attacks came amid renewed disputes between Ukraine and Russia over proposed ceasefires tied to the May 9 commemorations in Moscow.
Ukraine had announced a unilateral truce beginning May 6, but accused Russian forces of ignoring the proposal and continuing overnight attacks across Ukrainian territory.
The ceasefire announcement from Kyiv followed an earlier proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a temporary halt in fighting during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Regional authorities in Russia said the overnight drone strikes caused casualties and injuries in border areas.
The governor of the Belgorod region confirmed that one woman was killed, while officials in the Bryansk region reported that 13 people sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 102 drones at Ukrainian territory overnight.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier accused Moscow of rejecting efforts to halt hostilities and warned that Kyiv could respond with intensified strikes during Russia’s military celebrations on Saturday.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, while Russian missile and drone strikes have continued to hit Ukrainian cities, resulting in rising civilian casualties.
On Wednesday evening, Moscow warned that it could launch a major retaliatory strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine carried out attacks during the Victory Day events in Russia.
Russian authorities also said they had advised foreign embassies and international missions in Kyiv to evacuate personnel and citizens from the Ukrainian capital as a precautionary measure.
