Russian attacks kill at least 20 ahead of rival ceasefires…
Russian attacks killed at least 20 people across Ukraine on Tuesday ahead of rival unilateral ceasefires proposed separately by Moscow and Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelensky said five civilians were killed when several Russian glide bombs were dropped on the centre of the city of Kramatorsk, while authorities in the city of Zaporizizhia said 12 people following a Russian aerial attack.
In Russia, authorities in the Chuvash Republic said two people were killed and 32 injured in a drone attack on Tuesday morning. On Monday Russia and Ukraine declared unilateral ceasefires ahead of commemorations held by Russia to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany on Saturday.
Russia 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. Ahead of its own midnight ceasefire on Wednesday (Tuesday 22:00 GMT), 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 the Chuvash Republic.
Zelensky said the fact Russia felt it couldn't "hold a parade in Moscow without the goodwill of Ukraine" to observe a ceasefire meant that it was time for Russian leaders to "take steps to end their war". Ukraine has in recent weeks stepped up deep-strike drone attacks on Russia, successfully targeting energy facilities and oil refineries and disrupting the Russian oil trade.
Analysis: Why This Matters
Geopolitical moves around Chuvash Republic rarely stay local — expect knock-on effects on policy and markets.
Key Takeaways
- On Monday Russia and Ukraine declared unilateral ceasefires ahead of commemorations held by Russia to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany on Saturday.
- 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.
- Russian attacks killed at least 20 people across Ukraine on Tuesday ahead of rival unilateral ceasefires proposed separately by Moscow and Kyiv.
Expect more international reaction in the coming hours; this story is far from settled.
Source: BBC World