Zelensky condemns Russian 'utter cynicism' as it strikes ahead of truce

Russia demanded a ceasefire on 8 and 9 May but Ukraine said it would pause the fighting sooner, meaning any violations would be pinned on Moscow. Zelensky condemns Russian 'utter cynicism' as it strikes ahead of truce Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Overnight combined missile and drone strikes killed five and injured dozens across Ukraine Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russia's "cynicism" for continuing to launch deadly attacks despite seeking a pause in hostilities. Russia, which is preparing to hold celebrations to mark victory in World War Two this weekend, said it would hold a ceasefire on 8 and 9 May and threatened a "massive missile strike" on central Kyiv if Ukraine violated the truce. But Kyiv said it would observe an open-ended ceasefire from midnight on 6 May, and that Ukraine would act "symmetrically" from that point on. As the warring sides were announcing the moves, five people were killed and dozens injured in combined missile and drone strikes across Ukraine overnight. "It's utter cynicism to ask for silence to hold propaganda celebrations and to launch such missile-drone attacks every day beforehand," Zelensky said. As the two ceasefires appear to be unilateral - meaning the two sides have not agreed on their terms, length or monitoring. "We have made our proposal," Zelensky said, urging Russia to lay down arms "and move to real diplomacy". Ukraine's earlier, open-ended truce is likely a way for Zelensky to show that his country is willing to start an immediate and lasting ceasefire and that any violations will be pinned on Russia. "We believe that human life is of incomparably greater value than the 'celebration' of any anniversary," he wrote on Telegram. Ahead of its own midnight ceasefire, Ukraine also launched a series of aerial attacks on Russia, hitting an industrial area in Kirishi in the Leningrad region and a factory that produces military components in Cheboksary, in Russia's Chuvash Republic. Zelensky said domestically-produced Flamingo cruise missiles were used to strike the Cheboksary factory, some 1,500km (930 miles) away from the front line. An unverified nighttime video showed a fast-moving object and large explosion. The Russian defence ministry later confirmed it had downed six Ukrainian Flamingos as well as 601 drones. On Tuesday morning, all three of Moscow's airports were temporarily shut. Later, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that four drones had been downed near the capital. The Kremlin has betrayed signs of nervousness ahead of Victory Day. The 9 May celebrations, which mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, have grown in scale and pomp since the start of Vladimir Putin's rule in the early 2000s. But the Kremlin said that this year the centrepiece event - a grand military parade on Red Square - would be scaled down due to the "terrorist threat" from Ukraine, and that no heavy military hardware would be on display. Muscovites were also warned that mobile internet access would be disrupted or cut off for several days in the lead-up to 9 May. Zelensky said the fact Russia felt it couldn't "hold a parade in Moscow without the goodwill of Ukraine" to observe a ceasefire meant that it was time for Russian leaders to "take steps to end their war". Ukraine has in recent weeks stepped up deep-strike drone attacks on Russia, successfully targeting energy facilities and oil refineries and disrupting the Russian oil trade. Its drones can now fly deep into Russia, often eschewing air defences, and on Monday morning one hit a high-rise in central Moscow. Its drones can now fly deep into Russia, often eschewing air defences, and on Monday morning one hit a high-rise in central Moscow Meanwhile, Moscow's strikes on Ukrainian cities continue to kill and maim civilians across the country. Thousands have died since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Zelensky on the left with a soldier holding a drone on the right The Iran war has strengthened Ukraine in surprising ways. Could a ceasefire with Russia be closer? Russian service personnel march during a Victory Day parade on Moscow's Red Square. Photo: 9 May 2025 Russia scales back Moscow Victory Day parade, blaming threat from Ukraine Hope and Aid Direct has sent more than 100 aid trucks to Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022. At a gathering in Armenia, leaders admit their alliances “aren’t where they want them to be”. Russia has declared a unilateral ceasefire to cover the event and threatened a massive strike on central Kyiv if it were disrupted. They gathered information using a "forest of antennas" installed on top of diplomatic buildings, the foreign minister says. Two European summits are being held in a country long considered Russia's closest ally in the region. Fatalities have been reported around Ukraine as Kyiv says Russian "shadow fleet" tankers were hit by drones. President Zelensky has been visiting the Gulf to demonstrate his country's military nous. The airline said the Academy Award was safely in its care in Frankfurt and was arranging its return.