Overview
- Ukraine’s unilateral pause, which began Wednesday at midnight, was followed by fresh Russian drone and missile attacks that Kyiv called immediate violations.
- Following Tuesday’s deadliest strikes in weeks, Ukrainian officials said at least 27 civilians were killed, including 12 in Zaporizhzhia and four in Dnipro, with rescuers hit in a second strike in Poltava.
- Russia said its air defenses destroyed 347 Ukrainian drones overnight into Thursday, while Ukraine’s air force said Moscow launched 102 drones at its territory and most were shot down.
- Cross‑border attacks expanded as Ukraine struck deep inside Russia, with regional officials in Chuvashia reporting two deaths and dozens injured, and Russia-installed authorities in Crimea reporting five killed in Dzhankoi.
- Zelensky said Russia had logged 1,820 ceasefire violations by 10 a.m. Wednesday and warned Ukraine would respond in kind, as Moscow advances a separate May 8–9 “Victory Day” truce and threatens a major strike on Kyiv if its celebrations are targeted.