Russian drone and missile strikes killed at least 22 people and wounded over 80 across Ukraine on Tuesday, just hours before Kyiv had planned a ceasefire. The attacks hit Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv using glide bombs, killing 17 civilians and wounding 45. Overnight strikes left five dead and 39 wounded.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as "absolute cynicism," noting Russia demands silence for propagandistic celebrations while launching heavy attacks. He added that Moscow could end the war at any moment.
Russia's Defense Ministry has announced a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday to mark Victory Day-the Allied victory over Nazi Germany-but warned it will retaliate if Ukraine disrupts events.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire moves and urged a full, immediate, and unconditional halt to hostilities. Previous short truces, including one for Orthodox Easter, collapsed amid widespread violations from both sides. Ukraine reported over 2,200 breaches during that period; Russia reported nearly 2,000.
