Russia Fired 108 Drones Despite Ceasefire: Ukraine

Ukraine has accused Russia of launching a massive overnight drone assault involving 108 unmanned aerial vehicles, just hours before a proposed international ceasefire was due to take effect.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the attack began late Sunday evening, at around 11:00 p.m. local time, and continued into Monday morning. The onslaught featured Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which have been a regular part of Russia's aerial arsenal throughout the war, along with other unmanned aircraft types.

"From 11:00 p.m. on May 11, the enemy attacked with 108 Shaheds and other types of drones," the air force stated in an official update. "As of 08:30 a.m., 55 drones were confirmed downed by our air defenses."

The attacks come despite growing diplomatic pressure on Moscow to honor a proposed 30-day ceasefire, which was set to begin on Monday. The initiative, supported by several Western and non-aligned countries, aimed to provide a window for humanitarian relief and diplomatic negotiations amid the grinding conflict that has entered its third year.

There were no immediate reports on the extent of damage caused by the drone strikes or casualties on the ground, but officials indicated that energy infrastructure and residential areas were among the likely targets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office condemned the assault, calling it “a blatant provocation” and evidence that Moscow has no genuine interest in peace. “The enemy continues to show utter disregard for human life and international norms,” said a statement from his press secretary.

Military analysts noted that the intensity of the attack could signal a broader strategy by Russia to undermine the ceasefire before it begins, possibly to maintain leverage in any upcoming talks or to test Ukraine’s defensive capabilities under pressure.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet issued a statement regarding the drone barrage.

This latest escalation underscores the fragility of the situation on the ground, where even diplomatic overtures are regularly disrupted by continued hostilities. Ukrainian officials reiterated their call for increased air defense support from Western allies, warning that the country's infrastructure remains vulnerable to sustained aerial attacks.

As international mediators scramble to salvage the ceasefire effort, attention is now turning to whether this attack will derail the initiative entirely—or galvanize further global efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.