Russian Drone Attack Kills Ukrainian Child
Russian forces launched another deadly drone assault overnight, striking civilian areas in Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region. According to Ukrainian authorities, a 12-year-old girl was killed and three others were injured, including a 6-year-old child. The attack caused severe damage to multiple homes.
Simultaneously, Russia fired 20 drones and 31 guided bombs at Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and ignited fires in Kyiv after drone debris fell on residential areas.
Putin Declares Ceasefire — But Kyiv Calls It a Trap
In a move widely criticized by Ukrainian officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. However, no details were offered about how the truce would be enforced.
Ukraine’s leadership called the move an attempt to “deceive the United States” and paint Russia as a peace-seeking power while continuing its offensive.
U.S. Proposal for 30-Day Truce Rejected by Moscow
While Ukraine accepted a recent U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, Moscow dismissed the plan, instead making a series of broad demands that Kyiv called “manipulative.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that any truce must be “immediate, full, and unconditional.”
Andrii Yermak, head of the presidential office, said the Kremlin is attempting to mislead global audiences while “still trying to break through the 1,000-kilometer front line.”
Putin Accused of Using Truce for Propaganda and Troop Respite
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington-based think tank, reported that Putin’s unilateral ceasefire was less about peace and more about avoiding embarrassment from Ukrainian strikes during Victory Day events.
The think tank stated: “The Kremlin continues attempts to hold legitimate ceasefire negotiations hostage in order to secure additional concessions from Ukraine and the United States.”
Ukraine Calls for U.S. Support Amid Continued Attacks
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is committed to halting the war but cannot trust Russian intentions amid continued assaults on civilian areas. He warned the U.S. against being drawn into diplomatic maneuvering without genuine Russian concessions.
Meanwhile, Putin’s earlier 30-hour Easter ceasefire failed to reduce hostilities, with both sides accusing each other of ongoing attacks.
Conclusion
As Russia escalates attacks on civilians while promoting a hollow ceasefire, Kyiv’s warnings appear well-founded. With Putin’s conditions for peace growing more extreme and Trump’s envoy making no headway, the road to peace remains blocked by continued violence and diplomatic theater.
Sources: Reuters, Kyiv officials, ISW, Kremlin press briefings
