Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Thursday of breaking a temporary ceasefire that Kyiv had suggested, warning that Ukraine will maintain its long-distance attacks if Moscow continues its military operations.
The Ukrainian leader had suggested the pause beginning May 6 as a counter to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s own ceasefire proposal for May 8-9, which would align with Russia’s World War Two victory celebrations.
Russia never officially agreed to honor Ukraine’s ceasefire suggestion.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian military units launched drone attacks, missile bombardments, artillery fire, and ground assaults across battle lines from the early morning hours Thursday.
A day earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova announced that Moscow had advised diplomatic offices to leave Kyiv due to potential large-scale strikes in retaliation for Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Victory Day ceremonies.
Ukrainian air defense reported shooting down 92 out of 102 incoming drones from 6 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday morning. Russian officials claimed their air defense systems eliminated 32 drones targeting Moscow since Thursday began.
“In a mirror response to Russian strikes, we will continue our long-range sanctions. And in response to Russia’s willingness to move toward diplomacy, we will proceed along the path of diplomacy,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukrainian military units have stepped up operations against Russia’s defense manufacturing facilities and power infrastructure, focusing heavily on petroleum facilities to undermine Moscow’s primary war funding source.
Thursday brought news of Ukrainian drone strikes against a Lukoil refinery in Perm, located near the Ural Mountains, according to Kyiv’s drone unit commander. This marked the second assault on that facility within eight days.
Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces recently hit locations in Russia’s Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg regions, reaching targets almost 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s borders.
“There is a need to establish peace, rather than running around the world’s capitals begging for a pause on May 9. We need peace,” Zelenskyy declared.
