Ukraine Launches Major Drone Attack on Russia as Putin Prepares Victory Day Celebrations

Ukraine launched a massive drone assault against Russian territory, with hundreds of drones targeting various regions and disrupting air traffic across southern Russia for several days. The attack comes as Russia prepares to celebrate Victory Day, its annual commemoration of the Soviet victory in World War II, but growing concerns about military setbacks have created what observers describe as the worst atmosphere among Russian war supporters since at least autumn 2022. Ukraine ignored calls for a ceasefire from Russian President Vladimir Putin, pressing ahead with the drone offensive that temporarily shut down aviation operations across much of southern Russia. The strikes represent one of the largest coordinated drone attacks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, demonstrating Ukraine's expanding capability to project force deep into Russian territory. The timing of the attack appears calculated to coincide with Russia's most important patriotic holiday, as Putin's government faces mounting pressure over the war's direction. Reports from the front lines indicate no recent Russian territorial gains, while the scale of Ukraine's drone capabilities has apparently surprised Russian military planners and raised questions about the effectiveness of Moscow's air defense systems.