Five killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine gas facilities as ceasefire proposals clash

A Russian overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s gas production facilities has killed five people, including two rescue workers, Ukrainian officials said, as Kyiv and Moscow exchanged competing ceasefire proposals.

Ukraine’s state energy company, Naftogaz, said facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions were struck, killing three of its employees. At least 37 people were injured in the attacks, which involved drones and ballistic missiles and caused significant damage and production losses.

Rescue workers killed in follow‑up strike

Ukraine’s interior ministry said two emergency responders died when Russian forces carried out a follow-up strike after crews arrived to extinguish a fire at a gas facility in Poltava. Officials said a further 23 rescue workers were injured.

Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of using so-called “double-tap” strikes, in which emergency teams responding to an initial attack are deliberately targeted.

Damage to infrastructure and power supply

Further attacks were reported in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where officials said three people were injured and thousands of households were left without electricity. Regional authorities said gas supplies were cut to nearly 3,500 customers.

• Russia and Ukraine announce separate ceasefires ahead of Victory Day
• Ukraine drones hit Primorsk port and Russian regions, killing one

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 11 ballistic missiles and 164 drones overnight. Most were intercepted, but several missiles and drones hit at least 14 locations.

Ceasefire proposals exchanged

Ukraine’s president condemned the attacks, accusing Moscow of cynicism after Russia’s leader announced a brief ceasefire to coincide with Victory Day events on 8–9 May. Ukraine has proposed its own pause in fighting starting overnight on 5–6 May, without specifying an end date.

Ukraine strikes targets inside Russia

In response, Ukraine said it carried out overnight missile strikes on targets inside Russia, including a defence manufacturing facility in the city of Cheboksary, more than 1,500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.

Kyiv said the site supplies navigation components for the Russian military and defence industries, describing the strike as a justified response to continued attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Tags

Russia Ukraine Ukraine Russia War Drone attack