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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a series of nighttime assaults, Russia launched dozens of drones against Ukraine, ignoring a unilateral ceasefire that Ukraine had
announced to begin at midnight, according to Ukrainian officials on Wednesday. The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that Ukraine had violated its own ceasefire, claiming that its air defenses intercepted 53 Ukrainian drones over Russian territories, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea, between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
Casualties from Drone Strikes
Five individuals lost their lives in a Ukrainian drone strike targeting the city of Dzhankoi in Crimea, as reported by Sergei Aksyonov, the governor appointed by Russia. The report of casualties was made shortly after midnight, although Aksyonov had posted about the attack over 90 minutes prior.Ongoing Hostilities and Civilian Impact
There has been no indication from Moscow of compliance with Kyiv's ceasefire, and expectations for a reduction in hostilities appear minimal as the conflict nears its fifth year following Russia's full-scale invasion. Diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. to halt the war have yet to yield results.On Tuesday, Russian strikes resulted in the deaths of 27 civilians and injuries to 120 others, according to Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. On Wednesday, two Russian drones targeted a kindergarten in Sumy city, killing a security guard and injuring two others, with no children present at the time of the attack.
Since last Friday, Russian attacks have reportedly killed at least 70 civilians and injured over 500, as noted by the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, which documented strikes across 14 regions.
Danielle Bell, head of the monitoring mission, expressed concern over the scale of civilian casualties and the wide-reaching impact of the attacks in a short period.
The ongoing war has claimed more than 15,000 civilian lives, according to U.N. estimates.
Ukraine's Response and International Observations
Despite Ukraine's indefinite suspension of hostilities, Russian forces have persisted in their bombardments, utilizing drones and glide bombs, while also attempting to penetrate Ukrainian defenses, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X.Zelenskyy condemned Russia's actions as a blatant rejection of the ceasefire and a disregard for human lives, urging Moscow to cease its invasion. He reiterated that diplomatic proposals from Ukraine remain on the table, contingent on Russia's willingness to pursue genuine peace.
Ceasefire Context and Political Implications
The unilateral ceasefire from Ukraine was announced following Russia's declaration of its own pause in hostilities for the upcoming commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II. Zelenskyy warned that any breach of the ceasefire would prompt a military response.European officials have recognized Ukraine's ceasefire as a goodwill gesture aimed at fostering peace talks.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that Russian forces launched 108 drones and three missiles overnight, with attacks persisting into Wednesday morning.
Sybiha criticized Moscow for disregarding international calls for an end to hostilities, emphasizing that Russia's recent actions undermined its proposed ceasefire around May 9, suggesting insincerity in its intentions.
He called for intensified international pressure on Russia, advocating for new sanctions, diplomatic isolation, accountability for war crimes, and enhanced military and civilian support for Ukraine.
