Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv reports fresh Russian missile and drone strikes despite unilateral ceasefire

Vladimir Putin’s forces have ignored a unilateral ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and carried out fresh airstrikes in the early hours of today, according to the Ukrainian military.

Ukraine's air force said this morning's attack involved at least 89 Russian drones as well as ballistic missiles, with hits confirmed in eight different locations.

It warned that the attack continues as there are “several enemy UAVs in the airspace”.

The unilateral ceasefire proposed by Volodymyr Zelensky took effect at midnight, even after Russia carried out its worst strikes of the year so far yesterday.

At least 27 people were killed in Russian strikes throughout eastern Ukraine in the hours leading up to the start of the ceasefire at midnight (Tuesday 10pm BST).

Putin has not committed to observing the ceasefire, but has proposed his own truce to cover 8 and 9 May, when Russia will commemorate the end of the Second World War with a military parade in Red Square.

Recommended

• Russia disrupts mobile internet as Kremlin scales back Victory Day parade
• UK sanctions Russian networks suspected of trafficking migrants to fight in Ukraine
• Joining EU’s £78bn loan for Ukraine will be good for UK jobs, Starmer says as he seeks closer ties with Europe
• Ukrainian general’s rise from far-right agitator to war hero

Ukrainian drone attack kills five in Crimea

A Ukrainian drone attack killed five civilians in the Crimean city of Dzhankoi yesterday, Russian news agencies quoted the Russia-installed head of the local government as saying.

"Unfortunately, ‌as a ‌result of a strike ⁠by enemy drones in Dzhankoi, there are victims among the civilian ‌population. Five people ​were ‌killed," ⁠Sergei Aksyonov ‌said.

The attack took place before the start of a unilateral Ukrainian ceasefire, and there was no evidence of any strikes from Ukraine taking place immediately after the midnight deadline.

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 06:56

Russia ignores Kyiv's ceasefire and attacks Ukraine with drones and missiles

Ukraine says Russia has continued to conduct airstrikes in the early hours of today despite Kyiv's own unilateral ceasefire taking effect.

“According to preliminary data, as of 8am, air defences shot down/suppressed 89 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas type and Parody simulator drones in the north and east of the country,” the Ukrainian Air Force said on its Telegram channel in the early hours.

It said hits from two ballistic missiles, one guided aircraft missile and nine attack UAVs were recorded at eight locations.

It warned that the attack continues as there are “several enemy UAVs in the airspace”.

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 06:25

US approves $370m sale of guided bomb kits for Ukraine

The US ​state department ‌has approved the potential sale ​of guided bomb kits and ​related equipment to Ukraine worth $373.6m, ​it said in a ‌statement ⁠yesterday.

The proposed package includes extended range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) systems.

The JDAM system converts standard unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions that can operate in all weather conditions.

It works with an integrated inertial navigation system combined with GPS for high accuracy.

In the extended-range version, the JDAM kit allows the bombs to glide toward targets from a distance.

Ukraine has requested 1,200 KMU-572 JDAM tail kits and 332 KMU-556 JDAM tail kits, along with fuze systems and a range of support equipment, logistics, and technical services, according to a State Department statement. The main contractor for the deal will be Boeing, it said.

"The proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it with more capable air defence systems to conduct self-defence and regional security missions," the state department said.

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 06:03

Watch: Zelensky mocks Russia’s equipment-free May 9 parade

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 05:52

Rubio discusses Ukraine and Iran in call with Russia's Lavrov

US secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke ​with ⁠Russian foreign ⁠minister Sergei Lavrov ​at ⁠Lavrov's ‌request, the State Department ‌said in a ‌statement.

The pair discussed the US-Russia relationship, the Russia-Ukraine war, ‌and ​Iran, the State Department said.

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 04:58

UK sanctions Russian networks suspected of trafficking migrants to fight in Ukraine

Britain has imposed a raft of new sanctions targeting Russian networks accused of trafficking vulnerable people from Africa and the Middle East to serve on the front lines in Ukraine.

The 35 new measures, announced on Tuesday, aim to dismantle operations that reportedly trick people from countries including Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen with false promises of a better life, only to send them directly to the battlefield.

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty condemned the practice as "barbaric," accusing Russia of "exploiting vulnerable people" and using them as "cannon fodder".

UK sanctions networks suspected of human trafficking in Ukraine war

Others involved in Russia’s drone industry have also been sanctionedArpan Rai6 May 2026 04:52

US approves potential sale of joint direct attack munitions to Ukraine

The US State ⁠Department approved the potential sale of ⁠Joint ​Direct ⁠Attack Munitions - Extended ⁠Range ​and related ⁠equipment ‌to Ukraine for $373.6 million, it ‌said in ‌a statement ⁠on Tuesday.

The principal contractor will be Boeing Company, ‌the State Department ​added.

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 04:37

Russian attacks kill 27 before deadline for ceasefire proposed by Kyiv

Russian attacks throughout eastern Ukraine killed at least 27 people on Tuesday, including 12 in one of the worst strikes so far this year, hours before the midnight deadline for a ceasefire proposed by Kyiv.

Russia has announced its own ceasefire for 8 and 9 May to coincide with commemorations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, including a military parade in Moscow's Red Square.

Ukraine, in response, announced a proposal for an open-ended ceasefire starting at midnight on Wednesday (2100 GMT), urging Russia to reciprocate.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was not an option for Russia to halt strikes for one day for its military parade after days of bombarding Ukraine.

Ukrainian ⁠foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, writing in English on X, said: "With mere hours until Ukraine's ceasefire proposal comes into force, Russia shows no signs of preparing to end hostilities. On the contrary, Moscow intensifies terror."

Arpan Rai6 May 2026 04:04

Ukrainian general’s rise from far-right agitator to war hero

World affairs editor Sam Kiley meets the founder of Ukraine’s ultranationalist Azov movement, Andrii Biletskyi, now a decorated military brigadier general holding Russia back on its most aggressive line of attack in Donetsk province.

Ukrainian general’s rise from far-right agitator to war hero

World affairs editor Sam Kiley meets the founder of Ukraine’s ultranationalist Azov movement, Andrii Biletskyi, now a decorated military brigadier general holding Russia back on its most aggressive line of attack in Donetsk provinceDan Haygarth6 May 2026 03:00

Russia disrupts mobile internet as Kremlin scales back Victory Day parade

Russia has severed mobile internet services for numerous customers across Moscow, just days before the annual May 9 parade commemorating victory over Nazi Germany.

The event itself has been significantly scaled back amid heightened concerns over potential drone attacks from Ukraine.

This move comes as part of a broader crackdown on internet access within Russia this year, which has seen mobile services blocked and millions forced to use VPNs.

Opponents of President Vladimir Putin suggest these measures are an attempt to bolster domestic control following four years of conflict.

Russia disrupts internet as Kremlin scales back Victory Day parade

Russia has this year cracked down on the internet, blocking mobile services and forcing millions to turn to VPNsDaniel Haygarth6 May 2026 02:00NewerOlder

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments