Ukraine Accuses Russia of Violating Unilateral Ceasefire with Drone and Missile Strikes

Ukraine has accused Russia of violating a unilateral ceasefire declared by Kyiv, reporting that Moscow launched over 100 drones and several missiles overnight, resulting in casualties across the country.

Key points

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the attacks targeted cities including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.
• The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting or suppressing 89 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the strikes.
• Russian strikes in the hours preceding the ceasefire resulted in at least 27 deaths in eastern Ukraine.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 53 Ukrainian drones over its own territory during the same period.

Why it matters

The failure of the unilateral ceasefire highlights the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the rejection of diplomatic overtures ahead of Russia's Victory Day commemorations.