Russian strikes kill at least 18 people across Ukraine

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press
KYIV, UKRAINE — Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 18 people on Tuesday, intensifying anger in Kyiv after Moscow announced a temporary ceasefire for its May 9 Victory Day commemorations.

According to journalist Gavin Blackburn’s report, the attacks hit several Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk and Poltava. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s ceasefire proposal, saying it was deeply cynical for Moscow to call for a pause in fighting while continuing deadly missile and drone strikes.

Zaporizhzhia attack leaves 12 dead

The deadliest reported strike took place in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, where local officials said 12 people were killed in a Russian air attack.

Regional governor Ivan Fedorov said the strike caused significant destruction in the city. Images from the area showed smoke rising from a damaged car service workshop after the attack. Emergency teams were deployed to the scene as rescue and recovery work continued.

Zaporizhzhia has repeatedly come under Russian fire during the war because of its strategic position near the front line. The region remains one of the most heavily affected areas in southern Ukraine, with civilian infrastructure frequently damaged by airstrikes, missiles and drones.

The latest attack added to concerns that Russia is continuing to target urban areas despite its public ceasefire announcement.

Civilians killed in Kramatorsk

Another deadly strike hit Kramatorsk, a key city in the Donetsk region that remains under Ukrainian control. Zelenskyy said at least five civilians were killed when Russian forces struck the city center.

The Ukrainian president warned that the death toll could rise as rescue workers continued to assess the damage. He said the attack directly targeted a civilian area in the heart of the city.

Kramatorsk has served as an important administrative and logistical center for Ukraine in the east. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the city has faced repeated attacks because of its location near the front line in Donetsk.

The latest strike reinforced Kyiv’s accusations that Moscow continues to use heavy weapons against populated areas, worsening the humanitarian toll of the war.

Poltava strike kills energy workers and rescuers

In the central Poltava region, four people were killed in a Russian attack that targeted energy infrastructure. The dead included employees of the state energy company Naftogaz and first responders.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned what he described as Russia’s criminal tactics. He said two of those killed were emergency workers who had arrived at the scene to help after an earlier strike.

Ukraine’s emergency service said Russian forces fired four missiles at the area following an initial drone attack. The agency released footage showing a large fireball erupting at the site.

Kyiv has often accused Russia of using “double-tap” attacks, in which a second strike hits the same location after rescuers, medics or firefighters arrive. Ukrainian officials say such tactics increase civilian casualties and place emergency workers at extreme risk.

Moscow’s ceasefire call draws criticism

Russia announced on Monday that it would observe a temporary ceasefire for May 9, when the country marks Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

The proposal was sharply criticized in Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Russia could stop firing at any moment if it genuinely wanted peace. He argued that calling for a ceasefire to hold patriotic celebrations while continuing daily attacks was unacceptable.

“Russia can stop fire at any moment,” Zelenskyy said, adding that an actual halt to Russian attacks would also stop Ukraine’s military response.

The May 9 parade is one of the most politically symbolic events in Russia. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the Kremlin has increasingly linked the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany to its war narrative in Ukraine.

This year’s event has also been shaped by security concerns. Russian authorities are reportedly limiting the display of military equipment amid fears that the parade or related events could be targeted.

Ukraine reports intensified Russian attacks

The latest deaths come amid a period of intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Moscow has continued to use missiles, drones and guided aerial bombs against targets across the country.

Ukrainian officials say the strikes are designed to pressure civilians, weaken the country’s energy system and undermine morale. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, but repeated attacks on residential areas, public facilities and energy infrastructure have caused heavy civilian losses throughout the war.

Kyiv says the recent attacks show that Moscow’s ceasefire announcement is not a serious peace initiative. Ukrainian officials argue that Russia is using the proposal for propaganda while continuing military operations.

Russia reports Ukrainian drone strike

Russian officials, meanwhile, said a Ukrainian drone struck the city of Cheboksary on the Volga River, killing two people and injuring 32 others.

Regional authorities said the drone hit an apartment block hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine. The claim could not be independently confirmed.

Ukraine has increased long-range attacks inside Russia in recent weeks, targeting oil facilities, military infrastructure and other strategic sites. Kyiv describes these operations as retaliation for Russia’s nightly bombardment of Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones.

The expansion of long-range strike capabilities on both sides has raised concerns that the war is entering a broader phase, with attacks extending far beyond the immediate front line.

War spreads beyond the front line

The latest developments show how the conflict is increasingly affecting both frontline and rear areas. Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, while Ukraine has stepped up operations against Russian targets far from the battlefield.

Military analysts say this pattern reflects a shift in the war’s dynamics. Instead of focusing only on troop positions, both sides are also targeting logistics, energy networks, industrial facilities and urban infrastructure.

For Ukraine, long-range strikes are presented as a way to disrupt Russia’s military capacity and respond to attacks on civilians. For Russia, continued strikes on Ukrainian cities appear aimed at maintaining pressure ahead of symbolic political dates and military events.

The human cost, however, remains concentrated among civilians and emergency workers who face repeated attacks far from active combat zones.

Further escalation remains a concern

The coming days will be closely watched as Russia’s announced May 9 ceasefire approaches. It remains unclear whether the proposal will produce any meaningful pause in hostilities or whether attacks will continue.

Kyiv has signaled deep skepticism, saying a real ceasefire would require Russia to stop strikes immediately and consistently. Moscow has continued to frame its actions as part of its broader military campaign.

With civilian deaths rising and both sides expanding the range of their attacks, international concern is likely to grow over the risk of further escalation.

For now, Ukraine says the latest strikes are another indication that the war remains far from a diplomatic breakthrough.

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