Russian drone and missile attacks conducted overnight and later on Tuesday led to the deaths of at least 22 individuals and injuries to over 80 others, according to Ukrainian authorities. These strikes occurred shortly before Kyiv was set to implement a ceasefire and three days prior to Moscow’s announced pause in hostilities.
The eastern city of Kramatorsk, along with Zaporizhzhia and Chernihiv in the south and north, respectively, were struck by powerful Russian glide bombs on Tuesday afternoon. These attacks resulted in the casualties of at least 17 civilians and left 45 others wounded. Additionally, assaults the previous night claimed the lives of five individuals and left 39 injured, as reported by officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for its “complete cynicism” in initiating the attacks following Russia’s declaration of a unilateral truce scheduled for later in the week to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of peace and urged for tangible actions to achieve it, stating that Ukraine would reciprocate accordingly.
The Russian Defence Ministry announced a ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday, warning of retaliation should Ukraine disrupt any Victory Day celebrations on May 9. In response, Zelenskyy announced Ukraine’s observance of a truce starting from the end of Tuesday and pledged to match Russia’s actions moving forward without specifying an end date.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the proposed ceasefires and expressed anticipation for their successful implementation. He reiterated the call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to pave the way for a comprehensive and sustainable peace in alignment with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko highlighted that Russia predominantly targeted energy facilities, oil and gas infrastructure, railways, and industrial sites, causing damage to civilian properties and the transportation network. She criticized Russia’s ceasefire offers as mere statements without substance.
Ukraine continued its offensive against Russian rear areas, focusing on disrupting Moscow’s war economy by targeting more oil facilities. The Ukrainian Air Force reported launching F-5 Flamingo cruise missiles at military-industrial complex facilities in Cheboksary, over 1,500 kilometers away. Ukrainian drones also struck the Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg, leading to a fire in the industrial zone.
In April, Ukraine escalated its midrange attacks on Russia compared to previous months, with a particular focus on enemy infrastructure behind the front line. Ukrainian ground robots completed numerous missions for resupply and evacuation operations, as reported by Ukraine’s Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. These claims have not been independently verified.