Ukraine defied Moscow's self-imposed ceasefire by attacking Russia with waves of drones overnight and into Friday morning, setting off a major blaze at a key oil refinery. The Yaroslavl plant was blown up as hundreds of Kyiv's 'kamikaze' weapons were fired at targets across more than a dozen Russian regions - as Moscow fired back.
It was the latest in a string of long-range attacks deep inside Russia, the Yaroslavl plant situated almost 500 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stormed: 'Moscow wants to hold their parade, to go out onto the square safely for an hour once a year, and then continue killing, killing our people and waging war.'
'Yaroslavl is more than 700km from Ukraine's state border. An oil sector facility that was of great importance for financing Russia's war. I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine and our military intelligence for this manifestation of justice.'
'Ukraine's long-range sanctions continued in response to Russian strikes on our cities and villages. Russia must choose genuine peace, and only strong pressure will ensure that.' In response Russia opened fire with more than 140 attacks and a staggering 850 drone strikes - as Kremlin war chiefs defied their own ceasefire.
In addition Russian troops on the ground launched more than ten assaults on Ukrainian positions. Kyiv's major attack - timed a day before Moscow's yearly Victory Day parade - also triggered massive explosions close to a military facility in Rostov-on-Don.
The Kremlin had declared the May 8-10 Victory Day ceasefire hours before the attack with 264 airplane drones between midnight and 7am this morning local time. Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to attend the military parade in Red Square on Saturday and the Kremlin has launched a large-scale security clampdown.
Russia said more than 50 Ukrainian drones were downed in the Moscow region between 11am yesterday and 2am this morning. Defence chiefs in Russia claimed they intercepted as many as 264 Ukrainian drones but flying debris is believed to have caused widespread damage.
Moscow aviation officials confirmed several drones were hit as they approached Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports, causing large-scale disruption. City residents spoke of loud explosions throughout the night as further south of the region a widespread fire burned in western industrial area of Rostov-on-Don.
It is believed the Rostov-on-Don impact targeted military and chemical plants. The Kremlin had proposed a temporary cessation of attacks linked to the May 9 celebrations of the defeat of Nazi German in WWII.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dubbed the Kremlin's attempt at a ceasefire 'a cynical and theatrical performance.' Zelensky had threatened his troops would respond to recent Russian attacks on civilians with 'mirror' like revenge assaults.
This year's Moscow parade on Saturday has been hugely depleted by a lack of available weaponry and equipment for display in the capital. Sources have also revealed it is believed Russia has even brought back seasoned battle veterans from the frontline to bolster numbers in the parade.
Russia has suffered enormous casualties of well over a million troops killed or injured on the battlefield since it launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022. And it is believed Vladimir Putin is so terrified of a palace coup plot that he is spending weeks working deep underground in bunkers for his own protection.
