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Russia ignores Ukraine's unilateral ceasefire and attacks kindergarten
Ukraine accused Russia of breaching a unilateral ceasefire by launching drone attacks across several cities. A kindergarten in Sumy was hit, killing one woman as both sides had announced separate unilateral ceasefires earlier in the week. Kyiv had declared an open-ended ceasefire from midnight May 5, while Moscow had demanded a May 8-9 truce for Victory Day.
Why It Matters
The events illustrate a breakdown of unilateral ceasefire efforts amid rising hostilities ahead of Victory Day, raising the risk of broader escalation and affecting civilian safety.
Timeline
9 Events
Ukraine's foreign minister comments on Russia's ceasefire rhetoric
May 6, 2026
Ukraine's foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said Russia's continued aggression showed 'fake calls for a ceasefire on May 9th have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin only cares about military parades, not human lives'.
Internet disruption warnings issued for Moscow and St. Petersburg
May 6, 2026
Residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg were warned that mobile internet access would be disrupted for security reasons.
Russia threatens massive missile strike if ceasefire violated
May 6, 2026
Moscow threatened a 'massive missile strike' on central Kyiv if Ukraine violates Russia's unilateral 8-9 May truce.
Russia downed 53 Ukrainian drones overnight into May 6
May 6, 2026
The Russian defence ministry said it had downed 53 Ukrainian drones between 21:00 and 07:00 (May 5 to May 6), overnight into Wednesday, but did not specify whether any were launched after Kyiv's unilateral ceasefire took effect.
Moscow demands May 8-9 truce for Victory Day
May 6, 2026
The Kremlin was the first to demand a truce on May 8-9 to mark Victory Day.
Zelensky condemns Russia's actions as spurning ceasefire
May 6, 2026
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia's actions represented an obvious spurning of a ceasefire and of saving lives, and said Ukraine would decide on further actions based on evening reports from its military and intelligence.
Sumy kindergarten hit; one woman killed
May 6, 2026
In the Sumy border region, a kindergarten was hit on Wednesday morning, killing one woman; authorities said no children were present at the time.
Kyiv announces open-ended unilateral ceasefire from midnight May 5
May 5, 2026
Kyiv announced an open-ended unilateral ceasefire from midnight on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, and said it would act 'symmetrically' from that point on.
Tuesday attacks leave 27 dead, including in Zaporizhzhia; Ukraine strikes Cheboksary
May 5, 2026
A series of Russian attacks on Tuesday left at least 27 people dead across Ukraine, including 12 in Zaporizhzhia. Kyiv also carried out an attack inside Russia, killing two people in Cheboksary.