Russians kill three civilians in Kherson and Donetsk Oblasts during May 3
Russian forces attacked the centre of Kherson using a drone at around 18:30 on May 3, 2025, killing one person and injuring two others, early reports indicate, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration.
The Russians struck a crowded area near Svobodа Square and the Central Department Store.
“I am asking all Kherson residents to refrain from visiting Svobodа Square and the area around TsUM [the Central Department Store] in the coming days. There is increased activity of enemy drones there,” Prokudin called on the residents.
At around 12:50 on May 3, Russian troops attacked a central street in Kherson with an FPV drone, injuring two women aged 55 and 83, according to the Kherson Oblast State Administration.
The Kherson Oblast Prosecutor’s Office noted that Russian troops targeted the settlement of Antonivka on Saturday morning, causing shrapnel wounds to a 74-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man.
A pre-trial investigation has been launched into these incidents under Article 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).
At least two other residents of the Donetsk Oblast were killed in Russian attacks on May 3, according to Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration.
“In Myrnohrad, the Russians killed a 56-year-old man and damaged six houses. The second person who was killed is a 69-year-old resident of Komar,” Filashkin wrote.
Filashkin also reiterated that in Kostiantynivka, one person was injured and numerous houses were damaged.
Earlier, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire from the morning of 8 May until 11 May, which coincides with victory celebrations marking the end of World War Two. In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for an immediate ceasefire lasting “at least 30 days.”
The White House said US President Donald Trump, who has been attempting to broker a truce between the two sides, wants to see a permanent ceasefire.
The Kremlin announced a similar, 30-hour truce over Easter, but while both sides reported a dip in fighting, they accused each other of hundreds of violations.
Anastasiia Blyshchyk, the spokeswoman for the 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after Prince Mstyslav the Brave, told public broadcaster Suspilne.News that Russia used a so-called “truce” to improve its tactical position.
“In fact, this so-called ‘truce’ harmed us more, because just a few hours after Putin announced the ‘ceasefire’, heavy artillery fire struck our positions. The enemy also used attack UAVs, and Russian infantry assaulted one of our mechanised battalions. We observed them moving infantry and weapons—rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns—closer to the front line. Our aerial reconnaissance recorded more than 120 Russian occupiers dispersing during this so-called ‘Easter truce’ into forested areas, forest belts, ruined buildings, and dugouts. And as soon as the carriage turned into a pumpkin—that is, as soon as the so-called ‘Easter truce’ ended—the Russians launched a large-scale infantry assault,” she said.
On April 21, Russian troops launched over 10 attacks on the Lyman front in the area of responsibility of the 66th Brigade.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Putin’s three-day truce as theatrical and backs the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
“An unconditional ceasefire is the model that the Americans proposed. We’re following it. From this date or another – preferably as soon as possible. So let’s try for 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? It is impossible to agree on anything in three, five, or seven days,” the Interfax-Ukraine news agency cited Zelenskyy during a private conversation with journalists.
He also noted that achieving complete silence requires quality monitoring.
