At least five people were reportedly killed, and dozens of others were injured in multiple Russian strikes against Ukraine overnight. Russia’s strikes on Ukraine came after a Ukrainian drone hit an apartment building in Moscow on Monday. No casualties or injuries were noted in the military strike.
Russia’s strike overnight included 164 drones and 11 ballistic missiles in the Poltava region, according to Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha. Two of the people who died in the attack were emergency workers arriving at the scene of an earlier strike by Russia, Sybiha said. He called Russia a “terrorist state” for targeting first responders in a military operation.
Russia fired 11 ballistic missiles and 164 drones at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 5 people and injuring a dozen more, targeting mostly energy infrastructure across many regions.
Two of the killed were first responders, killed in a vile double-tap strike targeting those… pic.twitter.com/REhYeW8z4Q
— Andrii Sybiha
(@andrii_sybiha) May 5, 2026
“Russia fired 11 ballistic missiles and 164 drones at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 5 people and injuring a dozen more, targeting mostly energy infrastructure across many regions,” said Sybiha in a post on X.
“Two of the killed were first responders, killed in a vile double-tap strike targeting those who arrived to help people at the scene of the attack,” he added. “Only a terrorist state like Russia employs inhuman and criminal tactics like these.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also scolded Russia for launching the attack amid ceasefire proposals. He also blasted the country for targeting civilian “energy infrastructure facilities.”
“Last night, the Russians attacked energy infrastructure in the Poltava region. And they struck again in an especially vile way with a missile when State Emergency Service workers were already at the scene, extinguishing the fire,” Zelensky said in a post on X. “As of now, dozens of people are reported injured. Unfortunately, four people were killed, including two first responders.”
“Overall, Russia’s main targets overnight were our energy infrastructure facilities,” Zelensky said in his social media post.
Russia’s Victory Day celebrations are held annually on May 9 at Red Square in Moscow. It is regarded as one of the most important holiday celebrations in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a ceasefire between the two countries so that Russian citizens could enjoy the celebrations without the threat of Ukrainian strikes. He announced that a ceasefire would take effect on May 7 and hoped Ukraine would honor it.
As the Washington Examiner previously reported, Russia’s Ministry of Defense warned against Ukraine launching attacks during Victory Day celebrations.
“If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv,” read the message from Russia’s ministry.
“We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly,” it noted.
Zelensky had mentioned earlier on Monday that Ukraine would implement a ceasefire but added that his country would “act reciprocally” in response to what Russia does or does not do.
“We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary ‘celebration,’” he said in a post on X on Monday. “In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect. We will act reciprocally starting from that moment.
ZELENSKY TELLS PUTIN ‘TAKE REAL STEPS’ TO END WAR AFTER UKRAINIAN DRONE HITS MOSCOW
“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill,” Zelensky said.
After Russia’s strike overnight, Zelensky criticized the notion of requesting a ceasefire for Victory Day but launching drone strikes daily beforehand. He said Russia could call for a ceasefire anytime it wanted, but was deliberately not doing so.
“It is utter cynicism to ask for a ceasefire in order to hold propaganda celebrations while carrying out such missile and drone strikes every single day leading up to it,” said Zelensky. “Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are needed to achieve it. Ukraine will act in kind.”
