Russian Strikes Kill at Least 27 in Ukraine

Ukrainian leaders described the Russian actions as cynical, especially given Moscow's request for a brief truce for its military parade while continuing daily strikes. The foreign minister noted on social media that Russia showed no signs of preparing to end hostilities, instead escalating attacks.

Russian officials largely ignored the Ukrainian offer, with the prime minister issuing greetings praising servicemen after midnight. The rival ceasefires remain unilateral, without agreed terms or monitoring mechanisms. Ukraine's chief of staff indicated that if reciprocated, the truce would continue, emphasizing a shift toward diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Russia warned of massive strikes on Kyiv if its own ceasefire was violated, and scaled back its Victory Day parade due to security concerns. In recent weeks, Ukraine has increased deep-strike operations into Russia, disrupting energy facilities and using domestically produced missiles.

Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities have continued since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. Both sides exchanged accusations of violations even as the ceasefires loomed.

The attacks in Zaporizhzhia sparked fires at shops and enterprises, with officials reporting deliberate follow-up drone strikes on hit locations. In Kramatorsk, the strikes targeted frontline areas, exacerbating the humanitarian toll. Russian media reported no immediate strikes after Ukraine's ceasefire started, but tensions persisted with airport closures and drone interceptions across Russia.

Ukraine positioned its open-ended truce as prioritizing human life over anniversaries, urging Russia to end the war. Moscow's scaled-down parade, without heavy hardware, reflected heightened alertness to Ukrainian threats. The lack of coordination between the proposals highlights ongoing distrust, with each side pinning potential violations on the other.