Russia strikes Ukraine with over 100 drones as Zelensky’s ceasefire takes effect

Russia struck Ukraine with three missiles and 108 drones in the early hours of May 6, as a ceasefire declared by Zelensky took effect, Ukraine’s Air Force said.

Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and one Kh-31 guided air missile, the Air Force said. Air raid alerts were declared across several regions throughout the night.

Eighty-nine drones were shot down or suppressed. Three missiles and nine drones struck eight locations, the Air Force added.

There were casualties in Kharkiv Region. Two people sought medical help in the Novobavarski district of the city, according to reports from the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported fires caused by Shahed drone strikes.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry adviser Serhiy Sternenko said Russia had also struck an industrial infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia Region and hit Kherson with a guided aerial bomb — actions he said nullified the truce Putin had declared for May 9.

Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, reported that air defense forces had shot down 53 Ukrainian drones overnight over various regions and the Black Sea. No casualties or damage were reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on May 4 that Vladimir Putin would declare a ceasefire on May 8 and 9 “in honor of the celebration of Victory Day.” “We expect that the Ukrainian side will follow this example,” the statement read. The ministry also warned that if Ukraine attempted to disrupt the celebrations, Russian forces would “deliver a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv.” Zelensky responded by announcing a ceasefire of his own, set to begin on May 6. He wrote that human life was incomparably greater in value than the “celebration” of any anniversary.

In the early hours of May 5, Russia launched a series of strikes on Ukraine. In Poltava Region, at least four people were killed, including rescue workers who arrived at the site of the shelling and came under a repeat attack. Zelensky called it “absolute cynicism” — to demand silence for propaganda celebrations while carrying out missile-and-drone strikes on every day leading up to them. Later that evening, Russian forces struck Dnipro. Four people were killed, 19 more were injured, and four are in serious condition.