Russian attacks killed 22 people in cities across Ukraine on Tuesday, 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 on Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk and Dnipro came hours before a Ukrainian-proposed ceasefire.
In Zaporizhzhia, a southern city close to the front line, 12 people were killed in what Zelensky described in the post as a guided aerial bomb attack with “absolutely no military justification.” Seven people remained hospitalized, while 37 people were affected overall.
“It was a guided aerial bomb attack that directly targeted the city’s civilian infrastructure. The Russians show no restraint in destroying human life,” he said.
Russian forces also struck Dnipro in the evening, killing four people, Zelensky confirmed.
In Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region, Russian aerial bombs hit the city center. Initial reports said five people were killed, but authorities later updated the death toll to six. At least 13 others were reported injured as rescue operations continued.
“Not a single day passes without such Russian attacks on our cities and villages,” Zelensky wrote.
“It is essential that Russia is forced to end this war. We need silence from such strikes and all others every single day, not just for a few hours for ‘celebrations.’ Life must be protected,” he added.
The attacks came as Kyiv offered its own unilateral ceasefire beginning early Wednesday, countering Moscow’s proposal for a brief truce during Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations.
Ukraine has consistently pushed for longer ceasefires, including proposals for 30-day pauses in fighting, arguing that short-term truces primarily serve tactical or political purposes, such as securing Moscow’s holiday parades, rather than durably halting the war.