Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Thursday that Kyiv would respond “fairly” to Russia’s ongoing attacks, accusing the Kremlin of ignoring a proposed ceasefire while continuing large-scale strikes across Ukraine.
“Ukraine will act fairly – very soon,” Zelensky said in a statement on social media, adding that Kyiv had proposed a halt to attacks starting from midnight on May 6, but Russia had continued its assaults.
According to Zelensky, Moscow launched around 100 attack drones against Ukraine overnight and into Thursday morning, while also carrying out missile strikes, aerial bombings and dozens of frontline assault operations.
“Dozens of assault actions on key frontline directions and dozens of airstrikes have already taken place,” he said.
Russia, meanwhile, reported one of the largest drone attacks on its territory since the start of the war, claiming its air defenses intercepted 347 Ukrainian UAVs overnight across multiple regions.
Russian authorities said the barrage included strikes on a military logistics facility near Moscow, with explosions and air defense activity reported in several regions, including areas near the Russian capital, as well as Bryansk, Tver, Rostov, Samara and Tula.
Ceasefire bids collide before Victory Day
The escalating exchange came amid competing ceasefire proposals ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.
The Kremlin had proposed a temporary truce for May 8-9 tied to the anniversary events. Zelensky dismissed the proposal as “cynical,” calling it a “theatrical performance” designed to protect the Red Square parade from potential Ukrainian strikes rather than establish a genuine pause in fighting.
Kyiv instead proposed what Zelensky described as a unilateral “regime of silence” beginning May 6 to test whether Moscow was serious about pursuing a real ceasefire.
According to the Ukrainian president, Moscow ignored the offer and violated the proposal within hours. “Russia has not stopped any type of its military activity,” he said.
Zelensky added that Ukraine would respond “mirror-like” to Russian actions and determine “fully justified responses” depending on developments overnight and on May 7.
Moscow, meanwhile, warned foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations on Wednesday that it could launch “massive retaliatory strikes” on Kyiv, including against what it called “decision-making centers,” if Ukraine disrupts Victory Day events in the Russian capital.
Russia has also scaled back this year’s May 9 parade, with state media and officials indicating that heavy military equipment such as tanks and armored vehicles may not appear for the first time since 2007.
Russian officials cited the “operational situation,” while Zelensky suggested fears of Ukrainian drone strikes were the real reason behind the reduced display.