Russia, Ukraine report widespread attacks amid ceasefire limbo

WorldPolitics
7 May 2026 • 6:19 PM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

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Image from: Russia, Ukraine report widespread attacks amid ceasefire limbo
FILE PHOTO - A general view of a building that has been struck by a Ukrainian military strike on Vasilyevka. (zu dpa: «Russia, Ukraine report widespread attacks amid ceasefire limbo») Alexander Polegenko/TASS via ZUMA Press/dpa

Russia and Ukraine reported heavy attacks on Thursday amid uncertainty over the viability of rival ceasefires announced by the warring parties.

The Russian Defence Ministry said 347 drones were intercepted overnight, one of the highest tallies in the four-year war. It said almost all regions in western and central Russia were affected.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported on Telegram that 11 drones were shot down as they approached the capital.

The city is due to host the annual Victory Day celebration commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany on May 9.

Ahead of the anniversary, Russia announced a temporary two-day ceasefire covering Friday and Saturday. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed his own truce that came into force at midnight on Wednesday (2100 GMT Tuesday).

Zelensky subsequently accused Russia of violating the ceasefire, warning that Kiev would determine its "fully justified response."

According to the Telegram channel Baza, damage to buildings was reported from the town of Rzhev, north-west of Moscow, among other places.

In Latvia, two unidentified drones crashed not far from the Russian border, coinciding with the Ukrainian attacks.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force issued a warning early on Thursday about enemy drones over the regions of Odessa, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Sumy.

In addition, a ballistic missile was reportedly fired at the industrial city of Dnipro, where military governor Olexander Hanzha reported a fire and damage to a food processing plant.

The Ukrainian Air Force detected 102 Russian drones overnight, 92 of which were reportedly intercepted. There were reports of strikes at six locations, with injuries reported in Kharkiv and Kherson.

It remains unclear whether Ukraine will commit to the two-day ceasefire proposed by the Kremlin from Friday.

Russia has threatened to retaliate if Kiev attempts to disrupt the celebrations in Moscow, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urging foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital in advance.