Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has reported that Russia breached a ceasefire initiated by Ukraine at midnight on May 5-6. The minister noted that Russian forces launched attacks throughout the night, employing 108 drones and three missiles, which included strikes on the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.
Sybiha emphasized that Moscow disregarded a realistic and fair call for a cessation of hostilities, which had garnered support from various countries and international organizations. He stated, “This demonstrates that Russia rejects peace, and its false calls for a ceasefire on May 9 have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin is only interested in military parades, not human lives.”
The minister called for increased pressure on the Russian regime, including new rounds of sanctions, isolation, accountability for Russia’s actions, and enhanced support for Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, on the night of May 6, Russian forces attacked Ukraine using two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from the Rostov region, a Kh-31 guided missile from the Kursk region, and 108 strike drones of various types. Local authorities reported that in the morning, Russian forces targeted an industrial infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia, while a Shahed drone struck a private house in Kharkiv, resulting in a fire and injuries to two individuals.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had recently declared a ceasefire in the conflict with Russia, effective from midnight on May 5-6. He also pointed out that there had been no official communication from Russia regarding the modalities of a ceasefire, despite claims circulating on Russian social media.
On May 4, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that President Vladimir Putin had unilaterally decided to declare a ceasefire on May 8 and 9. The ministry expressed hope that Ukraine would follow suit, although no formal agreements for a ceasefire had been proposed to Kyiv.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister has accused Russia of violating a recently declared ceasefire, highlighting ongoing attacks that included drone and missile strikes. The situation underscores the complexities of diplomatic efforts and the challenges in achieving lasting peace amid continued hostilities.