Vladimir Putin launches ‘biggest ever’ drone attack on Ukraine ahead of Russia's Victory Day parade

Air raid sirens have been sounding all day across Ukraine after Russia launched a fresh wave of drone and missile strikes branded the ‘biggest’ kamikaze attack so far by Kyiv's Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko.

The bloodthirsty move comes hours before Russia celebrates Victory Day, the most patriotic and symbolic holiday in the country. It commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during WWII, a conflict the Kremlin has been trying to draw parallels with since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.

Kyiv's Mayor said nearly 60 drones had been launched by Russia today, with 30 drones having been destroyed over the capital. Sadly, five people had been injured by falling debris from downed drones.

The Black Sea port city of Odesa saw Ukraine's Red Cross warehouse with humanitarian aid set ablaze by the strike. There had also been a wave of attacks on the Kherson, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions.

A wave of drones and missiles attacks hit all of Ukraine

Explosions were heard overnight in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as 60 Iranian-made kamikaze drones were fired at the local targets. According to the mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, although 30 of them were aimed and got intercepted above Kyiv, debris hit apartments and other buildings, injuring at least five people.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian Red Cross warehouse with humanitarian aid was destroyed by a missile in the Black Sea city of Odesa. The staff and volunteers were not injured, but Ukraine's Ministry of Defence tweeted that a civilian security guard was killed in the attack.

In a statement, the charity said that all aid deliveries had to be suspended.

Recent months saw a sharp increase in Russian attacks on civilian targets. It is partly attributed to a widely expected Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Today’s attacks hardly came as a surprise as Russia’s leader Vladimir Putinis allegedly seeking to boost national pride ahead of Victory Day.

Read more:

⋙ Vladimir Putin: Leaked document seemingly reveals Kremlin’s fear Russia is going to lose war

What is the meaning of Victory Day in Russia?

The Kremlin is preparing for Tuesday 9 May's Victory Day,the most important day in the calendar for the country under Putin who tries to bring forward the ‘glorious past’ in what many see as compensation for a ‘bleak future’.

The holiday evokes the 1945 Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany in an attempt to rally Russians behind Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Experts believe that even the smallest win on the frontline will boost the Russian leader’s pride, with his military not shunning away from hitting civilian targets.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 9 May would from now be celebrated as Europe Day, in line with the European Union. The move - which needs parliamentary approval - is seen as a pointed rebuke to Russia.

Mr Zelenskyy said he had signed a decree that the day would commemorate European unity and the defeat of ‘Ruscism’ - a term that is shorthand for ‘Russian fascism’.

He also said that 8 May would now officially be a Day of Remembrance and Victory, as marked in many countries around the world.

Read more:

⋙ Vladimir Putin: This is who might have really carried out his alleged assassination attempt

⋙ Vladimir Putin betrayed by 'close friend' in attempt to save himself

Sources used:

- Reuters: 'Russia attacks Ukraine with huge drone swarm ahead of Victory Day holiday'

- BBC News: 'Ukraine war: Russia launches 'biggest' kamikaze drone attack'

- The Telegraph: 'Ukraine-Russia war: Russian missile strike destroys Red Cross aid centre in Odesa'