Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with press as he arrives for a meeting of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia, on May 4, 2026. ANTHONY PIZZOFERRATO / AP
Russian attacks killed 21 people in cities across Ukraine on Tuesday, May 5, as President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Moscow's "utter cynicism" for launching deadly strikes while seeking a truce to stage its May 9 patriotic parade. The attacks – hitting the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk and Dnipro – came hours before a Ukrainian-suggested ceasefire.
In Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine's southern city close to the frontline, 12 people were killed in an attack Zelensky described as having "absolutely no military justification."
Moscow also pounded Dnipro and Kramatorsk. Russia has demanded that Kyiv agree to a ceasefire for its May 9 World War II Victory Day commemorations.
"We need silence from such strikes and all others like them every single day, not just for a few hours somewhere out there for 'celebrations,'" Zelensky said, calling on allies to condemn the attacks. Kyiv has instead said it will halt fire over May 6. But Russia attacked the city of Dnipro late on Tuesday, nearing Kyiv's deadline.
