Russian Strikes Kill 27 in Eastern Ukraine Hours Before Proposed Ceasefire Deadline

At least 27 people were killed across eastern Ukraine on Tuesday following a wave of Russian attacks, intensifying tensions just hours before a proposed ceasefire was scheduled to begin.

Among the dead were 12 people killed in what officials described as one of the deadliest single strikes recorded in Ukraine so far this year. The latest escalation came ahead of a midnight deadline linked to competing ceasefire announcements from both Russia and Ukraine.

Russia had earlier announced a temporary ceasefire for May 8 to May 9 to coincide with commemorations marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, as well as the annual military parade held in Moscow’s Red Square.

In response, Ukraine proposed its own open-ended ceasefire beginning at midnight on Wednesday, urging Moscow to commit to a broader and more meaningful halt in hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s limited truce proposal, arguing that pausing attacks only for a ceremonial military parade while continuing bombardments elsewhere was not a serious peace effort.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, also accused Moscow of escalating violence rather than preparing to de-escalate. In a post on X, he said Russia had shown no indication of ending hostilities despite Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal being just hours away from taking effect.

One of the most devastating attacks was reported in Zaporizhzhia, where aerial bombs and drone strikes killed at least 12 people, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. He also confirmed that at least 20 others were injured.

The attacks reportedly damaged residential buildings, a vehicle repair facility, and a car wash, while fires broke out at a retail store and another unidentified business facility.

Emergency crews were deployed to contain the damage and assist survivors. As the ceasefire deadline passed, reports also emerged from Crimea.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, said a Ukrainian drone attack had killed five civilians in the city of Dzhankoi.

Crimea was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, a move widely condemned internationally and still central to the ongoing conflict. Initial reports suggested the drone strike likely occurred before the ceasefire deadline officially began.

There were no immediate verified reports of major new attacks in the moments directly following the proposed ceasefire start time. Russian officials appeared to largely ignore Ukraine’s broader ceasefire offer.

Instead, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin released a midnight message honouring World War II veterans while praising Russian troops involved in the war in Ukraine.

He described current servicemen as worthy successors to the generation that fought during the Second World War. The renewed violence underscores how fragile any ceasefire efforts remain more than two years into the conflict.

Despite repeated diplomatic proposals and temporary pauses, both sides continue to accuse each other of insincerity and ongoing aggression. With civilian casualties mounting and military operations intensifying, hopes for a sustainable ceasefire remain uncertain.

For now, the latest attacks highlight the continuing human cost of the war, as Ukrainian cities remain under threat even amid renewed calls for peace.