Russia's Ministry of Defense announced today that air defense forces intercepted 264 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), adding that their soldiers are "responding appropriately".
Russia's Ministry of Transport stated that 13 airports in the southern part of the country ceased operations after a Ukrainian UAV struck a building belonging to the Southern Russian Air Traffic Control Agency.
The Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR) reported that as of 10:00, over 80 flights were delayed or canceled in southern Russia.
"At least 14,000 passengers are waiting to depart, primarily on domestic flights. Sochi faces the most difficult situation, as new restrictions have intensified severe schedule disruptions over the past two days", ATOR stated.
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Volgograd airport in Russia in a photo posted in January. Photo: v1.ru |
Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 67 UAVs in an overnight attack on the country, the lowest number in nearly a month. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Russia also conducted hundreds of frontline attacks using short-range drones and assault efforts.
"There was not even a symbolic effort from Russia to cease fire on the front line. Ukraine will respond today as it has over the past 24 hours", he affirmed.
The Ukrainian leader also praised his country's military attack on an oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region, located about 200 km northeast of Moscow.
Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine for two days, 8-9/5, coinciding with its annual Victory Day Parade in Red Square. Ukraine has consistently rejected Russia's call, accusing President Vladimir Putin of merely seeking a halt in fighting to hold the parade.
Zelensky previously proposed a truce from 6/5, in response to Russia's 8-9/5 ceasefire offer. However, Moscow did not comment or declare it would comply with Kyiv's ceasefire call.
Russia threatened a large-scale attack on "the heart of Kyiv" if Ukraine disrupted the parade. Moscow also repeatedly urged foreign diplomats to evacuate from Ukraine's capital before then.
"We once again remind Kyiv residents and staff at foreign diplomatic missions that they need to leave the city in time", Russia's Ministry of Defense stated on the evening of 7/5.
AFP quoted a senior source close to President Zelensky, who said the Ukrainian leader would remain in Kyiv this weekend. The European Union (EU), Germany, and the United Kingdom were among those who rejected Russia's call to evacuate diplomatic staff, condemning Moscow's threatening move.
