Russian Strikes Kill at Least 28 in Ukraine Ahead of Announced Ceasefire
Ukraine announced a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire due to begin at midnight on Wednesday after Russia requested a pause for its Saturday military parade. Russian forces struck multiple cities overnight with 108 drones and three missiles, killing at least 28 civilians on Tuesday in the Donetsk, Poltava and Dnipro regions.
France 24Russian strikes using 108 combat drones and three missiles hit the Donetsk, Poltava and Dnipro regions on Tuesday, killing at least 28 civilians. NPR reported that 22 of those deaths occurred before Ukraine’s ceasefire announcement. Ukrainian officials described the overnight attacks as hitting residential areas including a private building in Kharkiv and a kindergarten in Sumy.
Ukraine announced a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire due to begin at midnight on Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would reciprocate if Russian forces observed the pause. The Kremlin had earlier indicated it sought a ceasefire tied to its annual Victory Day military parade scheduled for Saturday in Red Square.
Russia announced its own unilateral ceasefire later in the week, according to NPR reporting.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, Russia’s military parade will not include displays of tanks or ballistic missiles. Air defence systems have been moved to Moscow from other regions, and the city’s mobile internet network has been shut down ahead of the event. Ian Bremmer stated that the “least worst” option is ending this war.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-05-06 07:00
Moscow defence ministry reports downing 53 Ukrainian drones overnight between 21:00 and 07:00.
1 sourceThe Guardian - 2026-05-06 00:00
Kyiv's unilateral 24-hour ceasefire due to take effect at midnight; Russia conducts drone and missile strikes on multiple cities.
4 sourcesAFP · France 24 · Le Monde · The Guardian - 2026-05-05
Russian strikes kill at least 28 civilians in Donetsk, Poltava and Dnipro regions; Zelenskyy announces unilateral ceasefire.
3 sourcesThe Guardian · Le Monde · NPR - 2026-05-05
Kremlin states it wants a ceasefire on Saturday for its annual military parade in Red Square.
2 sourcesThe Guardian · NPR - 2026-04
Russian forces lose more territory than they gain for the first time since 2024.
1 sourceThe Guardian
Potential Impact
- 01
Continued civilian casualties in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy from strikes on residential and kindergarten sites.
- 02
Stalled progress in peace talks as Russia maintains 2022 territorial and political demands.
- 03
Ukrainian calls for additional sanctions and military support in response to perceived rejection of diplomacy.
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