Russia ended ceasefire by resuming mass drone and air attacks on Ukraine – Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia had itself chosen to end the partial ceasefire that had lasted for several days by resuming drone attacks and airstrikes against Ukraine. He reiterated on X that Ukraine would respond in kind.
The aftermath of Russian shelling in Kharkiv Oblast“Overnight, more than 200 attack drones were launched against Ukraine. Aerial bombs were used again on the front – more than 80 of them, and over 30 airstrikes were recorded. Attack drones were shot down in Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv oblasts, as well as in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. Energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten were damaged, and there was also a strike on an ordinary civilian locomotive on the railway… People have been reported injured in these strikes. And, sadly, there are fatalities. My condolences to the family and loved ones,” the President stated.
Zelenskyy recalled that Ukraine had previously stated it would respond in kind to all Russian actions.
“Russia must end this war, and it is Russia that must take the step towards a real, lasting ceasefire,” he added.
He also said that until that happens, sanctions against Moscow remain necessary and should continue to be enforced and strengthened, with no easing of pressure. Zelenskyy called on partners to continue working together for security, justice, and lasting peace.
Earlier, on May 9 at around 13:00, during “ceasefire”, Russians struck the village of Nezlamne in the Kherson District with UAVs and killed a 58-year-old woman. Another man was also injured in a Russian drone strike, the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.
On May 10, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has handed over a list of 1,000 prisoners of war to Russia for exchange and expects its US partners to ensure that the agreements reached with Moscow are upheld.
“We are in contact with the US side regarding the guarantees of the agreements that were recently reached and which the US president has spoken about. Preparations are being made for the 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, and it must take place,” he said.
He stressed that its implementation has been guaranteed by the Americans.
“The Ukrainian coordination headquarters has transmitted the lists of 1,000 POWs to the Russian side. There was American mediation in this exchange agreement – accordingly, we expect the American side to be active in ensuring that these agreements are fulfilled,” Zelenskyy underlined.
Previously, during a visit to Kyiv on 11 May, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that remarks by the Kremlin’s leader, Vladimir Putin, about a possible end to the war in Ukraine could be another act of deception.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that the enemy plans to produce 7.3 million FPV drones and 7.8 million warheads for UAVs of various types in 2026 and is increasing supplies of strike drones with turbojet engines to its troops.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s defense forces continue to hold the initiative, Syrskyi said. He noted that for the fifth consecutive month, Ukrainian unmanned systems units alone are destroying more Russian personnel than Russia manages to mobilize into its armed forces.
During April, Ukraine’s unmanned systems carried out nearly 357,000 combat missions, struck over 160,700 verified targets – 2% more than in March – suppressed over 7,700 Russian UAV operator positions, and hit 424 Russian facilities at distances of 20-250 kilometers using mid-range strike assets.
