Russia accuses Ukraine of breaking ceasefire as drone and artillery attacks intensify

Rashmi Pandey — Sat, 09 May 2026 10:45:35 +0000

Russia’s Defence Ministry on Friday accused Ukraine of repeatedly violating the ongoing three-day ceasefire by launching drone and artillery strikes on Russian military positions and civilian infrastructure, prompting what Moscow described as retaliatory action by Russian forces.

According to Russian state news agency TASS the ministry said Ukrainian forces continued attacks despite the temporary ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin for the May 9 Victory Day commemorations. The ministry claimed that Russian troops had fully ceased combat operations from midnight on May 8 in compliance with the truce agreement.

However, Moscow alleged that Ukrainian armed formations carried out large-scale attacks using drones, artillery systems, mortars and tanks against Russian positions as well as civilian areas in the Belgorod and Kursk border regions.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that Ukraine violated the ceasefire more than 1,300 times within the first day of the truce. According to the ministry’s figures, Ukrainian forces conducted 887 drone strikes, including attacks using FPV drones, octocopters and fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. Russian officials also reported 153 artillery and mortar attacks during the same period.

Moscow further claimed that Russian air defence systems intercepted hundreds of aerial targets outside the active combat zone. The ministry said air defence forces destroyed 396 Ukrainian aerial attack weapons, including 390 drones and six Neptune long-range missiles.

Russian authorities also reported intensified drone activity near Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least 37 drones heading toward the Russian capital were intercepted overnight, with emergency teams deployed to areas where debris fell. No casualties were immediately reported.

In response to what it called ceasefire breaches, the Russian Defence Ministry said Russian forces carried out “tit-for-tat” retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian military positions. The ministry accused Kyiv of using the ceasefire period to continue offensive operations and described the attacks as proof of the “terrorist nature” of the Ukrainian government.

Ukraine has not officially confirmed the specific allegations made by Moscow. Earlier, Ukrainian officials had also accused Russia of violating ceasefire conditions and continuing military operations along frontline regions.

The temporary ceasefire, brokered amid international diplomatic efforts and linked to Russia’s Victory Day events, was intended to last from May 9 to May 11 and included plans for a major prisoner exchange between the two sides.

Belgorod | Business Upturn

Russia accuses Ukraine of breaking ceasefire as drone and artillery attacks intensify