Russia violated its own ceasefire with 140 strikes and 10 assaults overnight – Zelenskyy

By 7 a.m., more than 140 strikes had been recorded against front-line positions. Russian forces carried out 10 assault operations during the night, with the heaviest activity in the Slovyansk sector. Enemy forces also launched more than 850 strikes using FPV drones, Lancet loitering munitions, and other UAVs.

"All of this clearly shows that, on the Russian side, there was not even a token attempt to cease fire on the front. As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond in kind today as well," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's Air Force also reported that Russian forces launched 67 drones at Ukraine on the evening of May 6 and overnight into May 7.

As of 8 a.m., 56 Russian UAVs had been neutralized over the country's south and east. 11 attack drones struck eight locations, while debris from intercepted drones fell on seven additional locations.

Russia's declared "ceasefire" for May 9

In late April, Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call that Russia was prepared to observe a ceasefire with Ukraine on Victory Day. Trump was reported to have endorsed the proposal.

Zelenskyy directed Ukrainian diplomats to contact Washington to clarify the details, but said as of May 4 that he had still not been briefed on the specifics of what Putin and Trump had discussed. A Kremlin spokesman said Russia did not need Ukraine's agreement to implement a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy insisted any ceasefire must be lasting — "not just for a few hours" — and warned that Ukrainian drones "could fly over the parade" in Moscow on May 9.

He subsequently declared his own ceasefire beginning midnight on May 6. Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine would extend it if Russia reciprocated. Russia violated it immediately, striking Ukrainian cities overnight into May 6.