Russia ended days of relative calm by resuming attacks — Zelenskyy

“Russia itself chose to end the partial silence that had held for several days. Overnight, more than 200 attack drones were launched at Ukraine. Aerial bombs were again used along the front line — more than 80 in total, with over 30 airstrikes recorded,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Attack drones were intercepted over Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts, as well as Kyiv and surrounding Oblast.

Zelenskyy said there were people wounded in the attacks and confirmed fatalities.

“We said we would respond symmetrically to all Russian actions. Russia must end this war, and it is Russia that must take a step toward a real and lasting ceasefire,” the president said.

The Ukrainian leader stressed that sanctions against Moscow needed to be strengthened.

“It is important that there are no sanctions relief measures and that partners do not stand aside, but continue working together for security, justice and a reliable peace,” he said.

On Friday, May 8, after a series of Russian threats to launch a massive strike on Kyiv and successful Ukrainian strikes on targets deep inside Russia, Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia for the May 9-11 period, brokered by the United States. Zelenskyy confirmed the agreement and announced a planned 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.

Overnight into May 12, after the end of the three-day ceasefire from May 9-11, Russia launched a new wave of drone attacks on Ukraine.