Overnight assault injures 11 people including children while Ukraine’s president calls Putin’s short ceasefire proposal “cynical”
KYIV – Russian forces launched a significant drone attack on Ukraine’s capital overnight, injuring at least 11 people—including two children—and causing fires in residential buildings across multiple districts. The assault came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded a meaningful ceasefire lasting “at least a month” in the war that has now stretched beyond three years.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia deployed 165 attack drones during the overnight operation, with Ukrainian air defense units successfully intercepting 69 of them. The remaining drones caused considerable damage across Kyiv.
“If there’s a ceasefire – then not for their holidays, but for every day,” Zelensky wrote on the X social media platform, directly challenging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recently announced three-day ceasefire set for May 8-10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II.
Residential Areas Targeted as Fires Erupt Across Kyiv
Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, reported that falling debris from destroyed drones ignited fires in residential buildings in the city’s Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts. A smaller fire also broke out in the central Shevchenkivskyi district.
Ukraine’s emergency services mobilized 76 firefighters to combat the blazes throughout the capital. Officials released photographs showing emergency responders battling intense nighttime fires at what appeared to be residential buildings. Several cars parked throughout the city were also set ablaze by falling drone fragments.
Reuters witnesses in Kyiv reported hearing multiple explosions consistent with air defense systems engaging incoming threats.
Zelensky Condemns Putin’s “Cynical” Limited Ceasefire
Zelensky’s demand for a more substantial pause in hostilities comes after Putin declared a brief three-day ceasefire for the upcoming Victory Day commemorations. Many analysts view the Russian leader’s move as an attempt to signal Moscow’s supposed openness to peace negotiations while continuing its military campaign.
“The Russians are calling for a ceasefire… while striking Ukraine every single day. This is top-level cynicism,” Zelensky said, highlighting the contradiction between Putin’s words and actions. “Just this week alone, Russia has used over 1,180 attack drones, 1,360 guided aerial bombs, and 10 missiles of various types against Ukraine.”
Central Ukraine Also Targeted in Widespread Assault
Beyond Kyiv, Russian forces also directed drone attacks against Cherkasy in central Ukraine. According to national television reports, Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down 15 of the 22 drones targeting the city. Nevertheless, emergency services confirmed one person was injured, with damage reported to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
“The regional centre was hit the hardest,” Governor Ihor Taburets stated on Telegram. “Residential infrastructure, furniture factory warehouses, a trading centre and garden buildings were damaged.”
Both Russia and Ukraine have consistently denied deliberately targeting civilians throughout the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, thousands of civilians have been killed or injured on both sides as the war has progressed through its third year with no resolution in sight.
Growing International Concern Over Escalation
This latest attack on Kyiv comes amid increasing international concern about the potential for further escalation in the conflict. Western nations continue to provide military support to Ukraine while trying to avoid direct confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll of the war continues to mount, with millions of Ukrainians displaced and critical infrastructure repeatedly targeted. International organizations have documented widespread destruction of civilian areas since the conflict began.
As spring turns to summer in Ukraine, military analysts anticipate increased activity on both sides, particularly as Ukrainian forces work to counter Russian advances in the eastern regions while defending population centers from aerial attacks like the one witnessed overnight in Kyiv.
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