Zelensky condemns Russian 'utter cynicism' as it strikes ahead of truce

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Zelensky condemns Russian 'utter cynicism' as it strikes ahead of truce 15 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Laura Gozzi DSNS Ukraine Overnight combined missile and drone strikes killed five and injured dozens across Ukraine Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russia's "cynicism" for continuing to launch deadly attacks despite seeking a pause in hostilities. Russia, which is preparing to hold celebrations to mark victory in World War Two this weekend, said it would hold a ceasefire on 8 and 9 May and threatened a "massive missile strike" on central Kyiv if Ukraine violated the truce. But Kyiv said it would observe an open-ended ceasefire from midnight on 6 May, and that Ukraine would act "symmetrically" from that point on.

As the warring sides were announcing the moves, five people were killed and dozens injured in combined missile and drone strikes across Ukraine overnight. "It's utter cynicism to ask for silence to hold propaganda celebrations and to launch such missile-drone attacks every day beforehand," Zelensky said. As the two ceasefires appear to be unilateral - meaning the two sides have not agreed on their terms, length or monitoring.

The Details

"We have made our proposal," Zelensky said, urging Russia to lay down arms "and move to real diplomacy". Ukraine's earlier, open-ended truce is likely a way for Zelensky to show that his country is willing to start an immediate and lasting ceasefire and that any violations will be pinned on Russia. "We believe that human life is of incomparably greater value than the 'celebration' of any anniversary," he wrote on Telegram.

Ahead of its own midnight ceasefire, Ukraine also launched a series of aerial attacks on Russia, hitting an industrial area in Kirishi in the Leningrad region and a factory that produces military components in Cheboksary, in Russia's Chuvash Republic. Zelensky said domestically-produced Flamingo cruise missiles were used to strike the Cheboksary factory, some 1,500km (930 miles) away from the front line. An unverified nighttime video showed a fast-moving object and large explosion.

The Russian defence ministry later confirmed it had downed six Ukrainian Flamingos as well as 601 drones. On Tuesday morning, all three of Moscow's airports were temporarily shut. Later, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that four drones had been downed near the capital.

What Experts Say

The Kremlin has betrayed signs of nervousness ahead of Victory Day. The 9 May celebrations, which mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, have grown in scale and pomp since the start of Vladimir Putin's rule in the early 2000s. But the Kremlin said that this year the centrepiece event - a grand military parade on Red Square - would be scaled down due to the "terrorist threat" from Ukraine, and that no heavy military hardware would be on display.

Muscovites were also warned that mobile internet access would be disrupted or cut off for several days in the lead-up to 9 May.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.