Russian drone and missile attacks killed at least 27 people in Ukraine this week, officials said, days before a two-day unilateral ceasefire by Moscow was due to take effect. This included a strike on Ukraine’s energy facilities, which killed at least five people and injured dozens, according to an Al Jazeera report.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian authorities showed "cynicism" by announcing a ceasefire and then launching missile and drone attacks on his country. “These are absolutely cynical, senseless terrorist strikes devoid of any military sense,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. “Such Russian strikes on our cities and villages do not cease for a single day.”
The two warring nations announced separate ceasefire timelines ahead of Moscow’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, with Kyiv declaring it will halt hostilities earlier than the truce window outlined by the Kremlin.
Russia declared a two-day unilateral ceasefire for May 8–9, 2026, to coincide with its Victory Day commemorations, marking the Soviet victory in World War II. The Kremlin framed this as a pause out of respect for the holiday and security during celebrations.
Ukraine proclaimed its own unilateral ceasefire starting around midnight on May 5–6, earlier than Russia’s window, and open-ended, urging Moscow to reciprocate. It emphasized humanitarian priorities and criticized Russia for tying the pause to symbolic events rather than genuine peace.
This isn’t the first attempt at a pause in hostilities this year. In mid-April 2026, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a 32-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire — intended to reduce fighting for that holiday, but both sides accused each other of violations, and full hostilities resumed quickly.
