Russian air defences have allegedly intercepted 89 Ukrainian drones over occupied Crimea and another 23 over the Black Sea, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, the scale and precision of the attacks suggest a significant escalation ahead of the Kremlin’s annual May 9th Victory Day commemorations in Moscow.
Reports from the pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel “Crimean Wind” indicated loud explosions and visible fireballs across strategic sites in Crimea, including Sevastopol, Dzhankoi, Saki, Novofedorivka, and Kacha. Many of these locations house Russian military airfields crucial to controlling the Black Sea region and launching aerial assaults on Ukrainian territory.
Videos shared online captured the moment multiple explosions rocked the area near the village of Uloiv, just one kilometre or 0.6 miles from Kalamit Bay and about 25 kilometres or 15 miles southwest of Simferopol. One of the key targets appeared to be the Kacha airfield, a major operational base for Russian forces.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed official in Sevastopol, confirmed that loud detonations were indeed heard and attributed them to Russian forces countering an intense drone barrage. He claimed that seven drones were destroyed over the sea at a considerable distance from the coastline and insisted there had been no damage to infrastructure in the area.
Ukraine has not issued an official statement, and independent verification remains elusive. However, Ukrainian forces have conducted several successful attacks in Crimea in recent months, inflicting serious damage on the Russian Black Sea fleet, a symbol of Moscow’s military pride.
Ukrainian journalist Serhii Guryts described the strikes as a “prelude” to the Red Square parade in Moscow, a symbolic date celebrated as Victory Day. His remarks reflect a broader sentiment that Ukraine may be aiming to disrupt the Russian dictator’s attempts to project strength at home and abroad.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, responded with threatening language, warning that Kyiv might not survive to see 10 May should Ukraine dare to strike Moscow on its national holiday.
Amid this climate of rising tensions, the Russian dictator declared a brief 72-hour ceasefire to begin on 8 May, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War II victory. He is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign dignitaries during the commemorations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the proposed truce by suggesting a 30-day ceasefire instead, stating that a mere pause was not enough. He warned that Ukraine could not ensure the safety of any visiting foreign officials in Moscow given the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian UAV reportedly hit the GRU’s secret Zvezda facility near Stavropol, a key site for Russian space signals intelligence.
The Kremlin’s desperation for manpower is growing more evident. Ukrainian defence forces have captured mercenaries from the African country of Togo. The Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that these individuals were mostly young people who had travelled to Russia under the pretext of studying. They were later lured or coerced into joining the Russian military.
Togo has warned its citizens not to fall for misleading scholarship offers and to consult verified sources before travelling to Russia. Evidence suggests that Russia is increasingly relying on African mercenaries due to critical recruitment shortages. These foreign fighters are used as expendable manpower, often with no rights and limited communication abilities due to the language barrier.
One Senegalese fighter captured by Ukrainian forces revealed that he had studied in Russia and planned to reach Germany via Ukraine. He had been assured that travel through Ukraine would be easy.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, citing the growing sophistication of Ukraine’s drone warfare, announced an increase in Britain’s defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. He emphasised the need to respond to a new age of warfare dominated by drones and autonomous systems.
Elsewhere, France has strongly condemned North Korea’s involvement in aiding Russia’s war on Ukraine, calling it a clear violation of international law and a direct threat to both European and global stability.
Back in Russia, even children have not been spared from propaganda efforts. In a grim prelude to Victory Day, kindergartens are reportedly forcing children to parade in military uniforms, waving flags in disturbing displays of indoctrination.
