Ukraine Accuses Russia of Violating Unilateral Ceasefire with Drone and Missile Attacks
Ukraine reports that Russia launched over 100 drones and missiles, violating Kyiv's unilateral ceasefire; at least 27 people were killed in the attacks.
Ukraine has accused Russia of violating a unilateral ceasefire declared by Kyiv, reporting that Russian forces launched over 100 combat drones and three missiles at Ukrainian cities overnight. The attacks resulted in at least 27 fatalities and numerous injuries across eastern Ukraine, occurring just hours before the ceasefire was set to commence at midnight on Wednesday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia's actions demonstrate a rejection of peace efforts. He criticized Moscow's forthcoming ceasefire, scheduled for May 9 to coincide with Victory Day celebrations, as insincere. Sybiha remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin prioritizes military parades over human lives.
In Zaporizhzhia, a southeastern city, at least 12 people were killed and 20 injured following a Russian attack involving guided aerial bombs and subsequent drone strikes. City Council Secretary Rehina Kharchenko described the assault as a deliberate targeting of facilities, followed by drone attacks on the same locations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as cynical and senseless, noting that Russian forces launched secondary strikes on the same targets while emergency responders were present. He emphasized that such actions occur daily and called for genuine steps toward peace.
Despite Ukraine's ceasefire declaration, Ukrainian forces continued operations targeting Russian infrastructure. Reports indicate that Ukrainian drones attacked the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia's Leningrad region, causing a fire in the industrial zone.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses intercepted 53 Ukrainian drones over various regions, including Crimea and the Black Sea, between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.