Ukraine accuses Russia of breaching ceasefire within hours

Ukraine accuses Russia of breaching ceasefire within hours
Rescuers work at the site of the private house hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, 6 May, 2026
Reuters

Ukraine has accused Russia of violating a ceasefire proposed by Kyiv that came into effect at midnight on 6 May, reporting continued strikes that left at least one person dead and several others injured across frontline regions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russian forces carried out attacks overnight, including strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, despite Kyiv’s call for an open-ended ceasefire.

“This shows that Russia rejects peace and its fake calls for a ceasefire on 9 May have nothing to do with diplomacy,” Sybiha said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin “only cares about military parades, not human lives.”

Ukraine’s proposal, announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged Moscow to reciprocate a halt in hostilities starting at midnight.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine would act “symmetrically” depending on Russia’s actions.

Competing ceasefire stance

Russia did not immediately respond directly to Kyiv’s accusation.

However, Russian authorities said air defences had shot down Ukrainian drones overnight, suggesting both sides continued military activity, the Associated Press reported.

Moscow has maintained its own position, pointing to a separate unilateral ceasefire planned for 8–9 May to coincide with Victory Day commemorations in Russia.

Strikes across frontline

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched two ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and 108 drones after 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, continuing into the early hours of Wednesday.

In the northern Sumy region, a drone strike on a civilian car killed one passenger and wounded the driver, regional authorities said.

In Kharkiv, drone attacks damaged residential buildings, with at least one person requiring medical attention.

Further south in Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces struck an industrial facility, a day after an attack in the city killed 12 people.

In Kryvyi Rih, another drone attack damaged infrastructure, though no casualties were reported.

Ukrainian officials said at least 27 people were killed in Russian strikes on Tuesday, hours before Kyiv’s ceasefire proposal came into effect, underscoring the continued intensity of the conflict.

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