Zelenskyy condemns Russian ‘cynicism’ over parade truce as 23 killed in attacks
Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's request for a ceasefire to hold a military parade in Moscow, calling it deeply cynical amid ongoing Russian attacks across Ukraine. At least 23 people were killed in strikes on Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk, Poltava, and Kharkiv, including emergency responders targeted in a double-tap attack. Ukraine proposed a 24-hour reciprocal ceasefire, but Russia continued its assaults despite its unilateral truce announcement for Victory Day celebrations.
- ▪At least 12 people were killed in a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, and five others died in Kramatorsk.
- ▪Three Naftogaz employees and two emergency workers were killed in a double-tap attack on a gas facility in Poltava.
- ▪Russia launched 11 ballistic missiles and 164 drones across Ukraine, while claiming to have downed over 300 Ukrainian drones.
- ▪Zelenskyy proposed a 24-hour ceasefire beginning Wednesday, demanding reciprocal restraint from Russia.
- ▪Russia’s territorial gains stalled in April, losing more ground than it captured for the first time since summer 2023.
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Emergency personnel extinguishing a fire at the scene of an airstrike in Ukraine’s Poltava region. Photograph: Ukraine state emergency service/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenEmergency personnel extinguishing a fire at the scene of an airstrike in Ukraine’s Poltava region. Photograph: Ukraine state emergency service/AFP/Getty ImagesUkraineZelenskyy condemns Russian ‘cynicism’ over parade truce as 23 killed in attacksKyiv lambasts Moscow’s request for ceasefire while ‘carrying out missile and drone strikes every single day leading up to it’Luke Harding in Kyiv Tue 5 May 2026 12.49 EDTFirst published on Tue 5 May 2026 07.05 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleVolodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the Kremlin of “utter cynicism” for seeking a truce so it can stage a military parade in…
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