SouthernWorldwide.com – Russian drone and missile strikes on Tuesday resulted in at least 22 fatalities and over 80 injuries across Ukraine. These attacks occurred just hours before Kyiv had planned a ceasefire and days before a pause announced by Moscow.
Glide bombs impacted the Ukrainian cities of Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv on Tuesday afternoon. These strikes alone claimed the lives of at least 17 civilians and injured 45. Overnight attacks subsequently led to five deaths and 39 wounded, according to The Associated Press.
“Absolute cynicism — to demand silence for holding propagandistic celebrations and then deliver such missile and drone strikes on all the days leading up to it,” stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X.
Zelenskyy further emphasized that Russia possesses the ability to end the war at any moment.
“Every day, Russia could cease fire, and that would stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are required for it. Ukraine will act in kind,” he asserted.
Russia’s Defense Ministry had previously announced its intention to implement a unilateral ceasefire on Friday and Saturday, coinciding with Victory Day. However, the ministry also issued a warning of retaliation should Ukraine disrupt these events, as reported by The Associated Press.
The United Nations expressed its welcome of these proposed measures. Secretary-General António Guterres issued an urgent appeal for a comprehensive ceasefire.
Guterres called for “a full, immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire, leading to a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace, in line with the U.N. Charter, international law and relevant U.N. resolutions,” according to The Associated Press.
Victory Day, observed annually on May 9 in Russia, commemorates the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.
Russia has a history of announcing brief holiday truces. The most recent instance was for Orthodox Easter, but these have consistently failed to hold amidst the deep-seated mistrust between the two nations.
During that particular ceasefire, Ukraine’s military documented over 2,200 violations. These included instances of shelling, assaults, and drone activity.
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In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of committing nearly 2,000 breaches. These accusations included strikes in border regions that, according to Russia, resulted in civilian injuries.
