Russia Snubs Ukraine’s Unilateral Ceasefire, Launches Over 100 Drone Strikes

Russia has intensified large-scale aerial attacks across Ukraine, launching dozens of drone strikes alongside missiles , even as Moscow prepares for a unilateral ceasefire May 8–9 tied to World War II Victory Day commemorations, Ukrainian officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, saying they reflect continued aggression despite Russia’s announcement of a temporary pause in hostilities for symbolic wartime observances.

Ukraine reported that Russian forces carried out coordinated attacks across at least five regions—Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava—using a combination of attack drones and missiles . Air raid alerts were activated nationwide as multiple waves of strikes hit civilian infrastructure , energy facilities, and industrial sites.

In Poltava, strikes on gas production facilities caused severe damage, killing emergency workers and civilians and injuring others during rescue operations. Additional fatalities were reported in Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk, pushing the death toll from recent attacks to at least two dozen or more , according to Ukrainian authorities.

Officials in Kyiv said the assaults involved Shahed-type drones and cruise or ballistic missiles , underscoring the continued intensity of Russia’s air campaign. Zelenskyy called the timing of the attacks “cynical,” arguing that they directly contradict Moscow’s ceasefire messaging.

Ukraine also accused Russia of undermining its own declared pause in fighting, as strikes continued despite announcements of restraint. At the same time, Kyiv has stepped up long-range drone operations inside Russian territory , targeting military logistics and infrastructure.