Russia launches new attack on Ukraine on Moscow’s “holy” day

KYIV (Reuters) – Russia launched a fresh attack on Ukraine on Tuesday as Russia celebrated the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in 1945, with Ukrainian air defenses destroying 23 of 25 missiles fired, mostly at the capital Kiev, officials said.
The attack – the fifth in May – came a day after Russia launched its largest drone swarm to date in a new air campaign launched 10 days ago after a lull since early March.
Military officials said there were no casualties in Tuesday’s attack and little damage.
“As at the front, the aggressor’s plans failed,” said Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, in comments posted on the Telegram messaging app.
Russia celebrates Victory Day, one of its most important public holidays, on Tuesday when thousands line the streets of Moscow’s Red Square to watch a military parade, scheduled for 0700 GMT, and listen to a speech by President Vladimir Cheese fries.
“On the night of May 9 at the ‘holy’ (they) launched an attack on the territory of Ukraine,” the Ukrainian Air Force said on its Telegram messaging app.
Popko said Russian forces were trying “to kill as many civilians as possible that day”.
Popko said Tuesday’s attack was carried out with cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea region.
Debris fell on a house in Holosiivskyi district in southwestern Kyiv, Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said on his Telegram messaging channel, adding that there were no casualties nor much damage.
In the oft-targeted Shevchenkivskyi district in central Kyiv, debris was found on a road.
“kyiv has risen and will rise in the future!” said Popko.

EMOTIONALLY CHARGED

On Sunday, Ukraine’s military pledged to prevent Russian forces from making a last-ditch effort to capture the ruined eastern city of Bakhmut, depriving Putin of what would be his only price for a costly winter offensive in time to holidays.
Wagner’s Russian mercenary forces, which bore the brunt of Bakhmut’s fighting, have yet to receive the ammunition promised by Moscow, the group’s leader said on Tuesday, reversing comments hours earlier that early data showed that supplies had begun to arrive.
But Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he didn’t want to “spoil” Russia’s Victory Day parade and would reveal more details later.
Ukraine is expected to launch a counter-offensive to retake territory to the east and south in the coming days.
This year, VE Day is even more emotional as Russia mourns the thousands of soldiers killed in Ukraine’s nearly 15-month war that shows no signs of ending.
Russia is also reeling from drone attacks, including one on the Kremlin on May 3 which it says was an assassination attempt on Putin. Ukraine denies any involvement.
Putin has repeatedly compared the Ukrainian War – which he presents as a battle against “Nazi”-inspired nationalists – to the challenge that the Soviet Union faced during Hitler’s invasion in 1941.
Ukraine says this is nonsense and accuses Russia of behaving like Nazi Germany by waging an unprovoked war of aggression and seizing Ukrainian territory.
Putin, his defense minister and other top officials are expected to review the Red Square parade, which typically includes tanks, intercontinental missile launchers and marching troops.
However, reflecting heightened security concerns caused in part by drone attacks, authorities canceled the traditional overflight.
It has also been reported that fewer soldiers and less military equipment are joining this year’s parade as the conflict in Ukraine takes a heavy toll on men and equipment.
The country’s authorities have canceled the processions of the “Immortal Regiment”, where people carry portraits of relatives who fought the Nazis.

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