At least 18 civilians were killed in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on Tuesday, Ukrainian authorities reported, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of “utter cynicism” for proposing a temporary truce while continuing daily bombardments.
Twelve people died in a Russian airstrike on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. In the eastern city of Kramatorsk—the last Ukrainian-held hub in the Donetsk region—a strike on the city center killed at least five civilians, with Zelenskyy warning the toll could rise. “The attack hit right in the city centre, targeting civilians,” he said.
Competing Ceasefires and Propaganda Parades
The attacks came as both sides announced unilateral ceasefires around competing commemorative dates. Moscow declared a pause in hostilities during its World War II victory celebrations on 9 May, while Kyiv said it would halt fire on 6 May. The 9 May parade, traditionally a display of military might, has since 2022 been used to draw parallels between the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This year, the Kremlin ordered a scaled-back version with no military hardware on display, reportedly over fears of Ukrainian drone strikes.
“It is utter cynicism to ask for a ceasefire in order to hold propaganda celebrations while carrying out such missile and drone strikes every single day leading up to it,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war and our responses.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned what he called Moscow’s “criminal tactics” after a separate overnight strike in the central Poltava region killed four people, including employees of state energy firm Naftogaz and first responders. “Two of the killed were first responders, killed in a vile double-tap strike targeting those who arrived to help people at the scene of the attack,” Sybiha said.
In Russia, officials reported that a Ukrainian drone attack on the Volga city of Cheboksary killed two people and wounded 32 after striking an apartment block hundreds of kilometers from the front line. The incident underscores Kyiv’s intensifying long-range strikes, which have recently targeted Russian oil facilities and a luxury high-rise in Moscow. Ukraine frames these as fair retaliation for Russia’s nightly bombing of its cities.
The latest violence follows a pattern of escalating attacks on both sides. Earlier this week, Ukraine struck a Russian military plant over 1,500 km inside Russia, while Russian strikes killed 10 across Ukraine as Kyiv hit Black Sea oil tankers. The competing ceasefire announcements—detailed here—highlight the deep mistrust between the two sides.
For Europe, the conflict’s ripple effects continue to strain energy markets and security policies. The surge in negative electricity prices across the continent, partly driven by renewable energy overproduction, threatens investment in green infrastructure, as reported earlier. Meanwhile, diplomatic realignments—such as Armenia hosting Zelenskyy and EU leaders—signal a broader shift away from Moscow’s orbit.
As the 9 May parade approaches, the human cost of Russia’s campaign shows no sign of abating. Zelenskyy’s call for a genuine ceasefire remains unanswered, with both sides bracing for further escalation.
