Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's "utter cynicism" after combined missile and drone strikes killed five people and injured dozens across Ukraine overnight. The attacks come as both sides announced separate ceasefires for Russia's Victory Day celebrations on 8 and 9 May.
Russia threatened a "massive missile strike" on central Kyiv if Ukraine violated a ceasefire it proposed for the weekend. Ukraine countered with an open-ended truce starting midnight on 6 May, vowing to act "symmetrically."
"It's utter cynicism to ask for silence to hold propaganda celebrations and to launch such missile-drone attacks every day beforehand," Zelensky said. He urged Russia to lay down arms and move toward real diplomacy.
Ahead of its own ceasefire, Ukraine launched strikes on Russian targets, including a military components factory in Cheboksary, 1,500 km from the front line. Zelensky said domestically-produced Flamingo cruise missiles were used. Russian defense officials reported downing six Ukrainian Flamingos and 601 drones.
Moscow scaled back its Red Square parade due to the "terrorist threat" from Ukraine and warned residents of mobile internet disruptions before Victory Day. Zelensky argued that Russia's inability to hold a parade without Ukraine's goodwill proves it must end the war.