A unilateral ceasefire proposed by Ukraine‘s Volodymyr Zelensky has entered effect, despite Russia carrying out its worst strikes of the year so far yesterday.
At least 27 people were killed in Russian strikes throughout eastern Ukraine in the hours leading up to the start of the ceasefire at midnight (Tuesday 10pm BST).
Vladimir Putin has not committed to observing the ceasefire, but has proposed his own truce to cover 8 and 9 May, when Russia will commemorate the end of the Second World War with a military parade in Red Square.
Ukraine has said it will respond in kind if it is struck during the ceasefire, and accused Putin of “utter cynicism” for only wanting a ceasefire to protect Moscow‘s parade.
Attacks by Ukraine also continued up to the ceasefire, with Russia claiming a drone strike killed five civilians in occupied Crimea. There was no evidence of any strikes taking place immediately after the Ukrainian ceasefire went into effect.
Rubio discusses Ukraine and Iran in call with Russia’s Lavrov
US secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov at Lavrov’s request, the State Department said in a statement.
The pair discussed the US-Russia relationship, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Iran, the State Department said.
UK sanctions Russian networks suspected of trafficking migrants to fight in Ukraine
Britain has imposed a raft of new sanctions targeting Russian networks accused of trafficking vulnerable people from Africa and the Middle East to serve on the front lines in Ukraine.
The 35 new measures, announced on Tuesday, aim to dismantle operations that reportedly trick people from countries including Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen with false promises of a better life, only to send them directly to the battlefield.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty condemned the practice as “barbaric,” accusing Russia of “exploiting vulnerable people” and using them as “cannon fodder”.
UK sanctions networks suspected of human trafficking in Ukraine war
Others involved in Russia’s drone industry have also been sanctionedArpan Rai6 May 2026 04:52
US approves potential sale of joint direct attack munitions to Ukraine
The US State Department approved the potential sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions – Extended Range and related equipment to Ukraine for $373.6 million, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The principal contractor will be Boeing Company, the State Department added.
Russian attacks kill 27 before deadline for ceasefire proposed by Kyiv
Russian attacks throughout eastern Ukraine killed at least 27 people on Tuesday, including 12 in one of the worst strikes so far this year, hours before the midnight deadline for a ceasefire proposed by Kyiv.
Russia has announced its own ceasefire for 8 and 9 May to coincide with commemorations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, including a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
Ukraine, in response, announced a proposal for an open-ended ceasefire starting at midnight on Wednesday (2100 GMT), urging Russia to reciprocate.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was not an option for Russia to halt strikes for one day for its military parade after days of bombarding Ukraine.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, writing in English on X, said: “With mere hours until Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal comes into force, Russia shows no signs of preparing to end hostilities. On the contrary, Moscow intensifies terror.”
Ukrainian general’s rise from far-right agitator to war hero
World affairs editor Sam Kiley meets the founder of Ukraine’s ultranationalist Azov movement, Andrii Biletskyi, now a decorated military brigadier general holding Russia back on its most aggressive line of attack in Donetsk province.
Ukrainian general’s rise from far-right agitator to war hero
World affairs editor Sam Kiley meets the founder of Ukraine’s ultranationalist Azov movement, Andrii Biletskyi, now a decorated military brigadier general holding Russia back on its most aggressive line of attack in Donetsk provinceDan Haygarth6 May 2026 03:00
Russia disrupts mobile internet as Kremlin scales back Victory Day parade
Russia has severed mobile internet services for numerous customers across Moscow, just days before the annual May 9 parade commemorating victory over Nazi Germany.
The event itself has been significantly scaled back amid heightened concerns over potential drone attacks from Ukraine.
This move comes as part of a broader crackdown on internet access within Russia this year, which has seen mobile services blocked and millions forced to use VPNs.
Opponents of President Vladimir Putin suggest these measures are an attempt to bolster domestic control following four years of conflict.
Russia disrupts internet as Kremlin scales back Victory Day parade
Russia has this year cracked down on the internet, blocking mobile services and forcing millions to turn to VPNsDaniel Haygarth6 May 2026 02:00
US approves potential sale of joint direct attack munitions to Ukraine
The US State Department approved the potential sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions – Extended Range and related equipment to Ukraine for $373.6 million, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The principal contractor will be Boeing Company, the State Department added.
Russian attacks kill 25 hours before deadline for ceasefire proposed by Kyiv
Russian attacks on cities in eastern Ukraine killed at least 25 people on Tuesday, including 12 in one of the worst strikes so far this year, hours before the deadline for a proposal from Kyiv for an open-ended ceasefire to begin at midnight, Reuters reports.
Russia announced a ceasefire for May 8 to 9 to coincide with commemorations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two and a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
Ukraine, in response, announced a proposal for an open-ended ceasefire starting at midnight on Wednesday, urging Russia to reciprocate. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it was not an option for Russia to halt strikes for one day for its military parade while having heavily pounded Ukraine.
In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, an attack by aerial bombs and drones killed at least 12 people, Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram. He said 20 were injured.
Fedorov said residential buildings, a car repair service and a car wash were damaged. The attack also sparked fires at a shop and an unidentified enterprise, he added.
In pictures: Firefighters work at a site of a Russian air strike in the frontline city of Kramatorsk on 5 May
Five dead in Ukrainian drone attack in Crimea
A Ukrainian drone attack has killed five people in the Crimean city of Dzhankoi, according to Russian news agencies.
Sergei Aksyonov, the Russia-installed head of the local government, said: “Unfortunately, as a result of a strike by enemy drones in Dzhankoi, there are victims among the civilian population. Five people were killed.”
Harriette Boucher5 May 2026 22:44NewerOlder