Russia warns diplomats in Ukraine capital to evacuate in case of ‘retaliatory strike’

Russia has continued its attacks across Ukraine, disregarding Kyiv's unilateral ceasefire announcement for May 9th. On Tuesday, 27 people were killed nationwide, with 12 fatalities in Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine's Foreign Minister stated Russia's actions demonstrate a lack of diplomatic intent, prioritizing military parades over human lives. Russia has not responded to Ukraine's ceasefire demand but has threatened a "massive missile strike" on Kyiv if Ukraine violates Russia's truce. Meanwhile, Ukraine has successfully targeted Russian cities, including an attack on Cheboksary, over 1,500 km from its border, killing two people. Russia has cited "terrorist threats" from Kyiv for scaling down its May 9th military parade and warned of mobile internet disruptions in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine resulted in at least 27 fatalities on Tuesday, with one strike alone claiming 12 lives. This escalation occurred just hours before a proposed open-ended ceasefire by Ukraine, set to begin at midnight on Wednesday. Russia had previously announced a ceasefire for May 8-9, coinciding with World War II victory commemorations and a military parade in Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia's proposal, stating it was unacceptable to halt strikes for a single day while continuing to heavily bombard Ukraine. Ukraine urged Russia to reciprocate its offer for an open-ended ceasefire.

Ukraine has criticized Russia for launching over 100 combat drones and three missiles on Ukrainian cities, killing at least 28 civilians, despite a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire proposed by President Zelenskyy. The attacks occurred overnight, with significant strikes reported in Donetsk, Poltava, and Dnipro regions. Ukraine's foreign minister stated that Russia's actions demonstrate a rejection of peace and that President Putin prioritizes military parades over human lives. These strikes are the deadliest in weeks and come as Russia's battlefield advances have stalled. Meanwhile, Russia has implemented security measures for its upcoming Victory Day parade, including transferring air defense systems to Moscow and shutting down mobile internet.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has advised diplomatic missions in Kyiv to evacuate their staff due to the possibility of retaliatory mass strikes. This warning comes in response to potential Ukrainian attacks aimed at disrupting Russia's May 9th Victory Day commemorations. Russian officials cited President Zelenskyy's "aggressive and threatening statements" regarding these commemorations as a basis for the warning. The Russian Defence Ministry had previously issued a similar warning about a potential strike on Kyiv. The move highlights heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming Victory Day events and Russia's stated concerns about Ukrainian actions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's "utter cynicism" after overnight strikes killed five people in Ukraine, occurring as Russia sought a truce for its Victory Day parade. The attacks, which hit a gas facility in Poltava and killed two emergency responders in a follow-on strike, injured 37 others. Zelenskyy stated Russia could end the war by ceasing fire, highlighting that Moscow's request for a ceasefire for propaganda celebrations while continuing daily strikes is hypocritical. Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for its Victory Day parade on Friday, which will feature less military hardware due to concerns about Ukrainian drone attacks. Ukraine has offered its own 24-hour ceasefire if Russia reciprocates, a condition previously unmet.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russia's "utter cynicism" for launching deadly attacks while simultaneously proposing a ceasefire. Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8th and 9th, coinciding with World War Two victory celebrations, and threatened Kyiv with missile strikes if the truce was violated. Ukraine, however, declared its own open-ended ceasefire starting May 6th, stating it would respond symmetrically to any violations. Overnight attacks across Ukraine killed five people and injured dozens, occurring as these ceasefire proposals were made. Zelensky criticized Russia's actions as propaganda-driven, urging them to disarm and engage in genuine diplomacy. The proposed ceasefires appear unilateral, lacking mutual agreement on terms or monitoring.

Russian air attacks targeted Ukrainian state-run gas facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions overnight, resulting in the deaths of five people. The victims included three Naftogaz employees and two emergency service rescuers, with an additional 37 individuals wounded. Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretskyi reported significant damage and production losses, stating the attack involved drones and ballistic missiles, and cut gas supply to nearly 3,500 customers. This occurred shortly after both Ukraine and Russia announced unilateral ceasefires to take effect later in the week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as "utter cynicism" from Russian authorities, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to peace but also its readiness to respond.

Moscow has intensified security measures ahead of its annual Victory Day parade on May 9th, a significant national celebration. Airports in the capital were temporarily shut down, and mobile internet access was disrupted for many residents on Tuesday. These actions are being taken amid concerns of potential Ukrainian drone strikes, particularly after a recent drone incident near the Kremlin. Russia has also proposed a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8th-9th, which Ukraine has dismissed as a tactic to protect the parade. The parade itself will be scaled back, notably excluding heavy military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades due to these security fears.

Russia has announced a two-day ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8 and 9, coinciding with Victory Day, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that President Vladimir Putin ordered the truce and expects Ukraine to observe it. The ministry also warned that if Ukraine attempts to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations, Russian armed forces will launch a retaliatory missile strike on Kyiv. This announcement comes as Russia prepares to mark the 81st anniversary of the Great Patriotic War.

A Russian missile attack on the town of Merefa in Ukraine's Kharkiv region on Monday killed at least five people and injured 18. Governor Oleh Syniehubov stated that civilian infrastructure, including at least 10 houses and four shops, was targeted. Regional prosecutors indicated that an Iskander-type ballistic missile may have been used. Russia has not commented on the strike, but has previously denied intentionally targeting civilians. In a separate incident, Ukraine launched a drone attack on a residential building in Moscow overnight, which resulted in no casualties.

A Ukrainian drone struck an upscale residential building in Moscow early Monday, causing visible facade damage but no casualties. This marks the third consecutive night of drone attacks on the Russian capital ahead of Victory Day celebrations. Two other drones were intercepted, and operations at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports were temporarily suspended. The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting 117 drones across several regions, with 60 targeting the St. Petersburg area. The Moscow building hit is located in a wealthy neighborhood near the Kremlin, and while drone attacks on Moscow have occurred previously, strikes this close to the city center are uncommon.

Russia and Ukraine have declared competing unilateral ceasefires in their ongoing conflict. Russia announced a truce from May 8-9, coinciding with its traditional Victory Day celebrations and a military parade in Moscow, hoping Ukraine would reciprocate. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he received no official notification from Russia and announced Ukraine's own ceasefire would begin at midnight on May 5-6. Zelenskyy emphasized the value of human life over anniversaries and urged Russian leaders to take real steps to end the war. The competing declarations highlight the ongoing tensions and differing approaches to de-escalation.