On the night of May 8 and into the morning, a series of Russian regions and occupied Crimea came under a large-scale drone attack. Moscow and the Moscow region, Yaroslavl, Rostov-on-Don and the surrounding region, occupied Crimea, and Grozny in Chechnya all reported incidents.
Russian Defence Ministry officials, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Rostov region governor Yuri Slyusar, the occupation-run “Crimea Energy” authority, and Telegram channels ASTRA and NIYSO reported the events. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi also commented.
Moscow and Moscow region: air defence activity
Authorities reported several waves of drones targeting the capital during the day. Officials said air defence systems intercepted more than 20 UAVs. Airports Vnukovo and Domodedovo temporarily restricted operations due to the threat. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed nationwide air defence activity.
Yaroslavl: fire at major refinery
A fire broke out at the “Slavneft-YANOS” oil refinery in Yaroslavl after a drone strike. Witnesses reported explosions. The ASTRA channel said the facility was the target.
Zelenskyy confirmed the strike, saying the refinery plays a strategic role in Russia’s war economy.
Rostov-on-Don region: explosions and industrial damage
Residents reported multiple explosions followed by fires. Governor Slyusar said debris fell in several locations and claimed air defences repelled the attack.
Local reports also pointed to fires near the “Empils” plant and a branch of the Radar scientific and technical centre, both linked to industrial and defence production.
Crimea: power outages and explosions
In occupied Crimea, parts of the region lost electricity due to disruptions in the main power grid. Outages affected Armyansk, Alushta, parts of Simferopol, and areas in the northern peninsula. Local reports also described explosions and possible strikes on energy infrastructure.
Grozny (Chechnya): strike on regional capital
Drones also struck Grozny in the morning hours of May 8. Videos circulating online showed explosions. Ukrainian sources confirmed the attack and described it as part of a broader wave of strikes on Russian territory.
Context
Russia claimed it intercepted 264 drones across multiple regions. Ukraine says the strikes respond to Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory and target military and energy infrastructure inside Russia.
Previously, Russia announced a so-called “ceasefire” for Victory Day, but fighting activity did not significantly decrease.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia systematically recruits teenagers in occupied Ukrainian territories into propaganda activities through the “Yunkor” program under Yunarmiya.
