dozens were killed

By Andreas Stein, Katharina Schröder and André Ballin

Kiev (dpa) — Russia appeared to ramp up its attacks on Ukraine on Tuesday hours before a ceasefire declared by Kiev was due to take effect, with dozens of people killed and scores injured in fresh strikes across the country.

At least 12 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in attacks on the southern city of Zaporizhzhya, Governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.

Elsewhere, at least nine people were killed and 16 injured by three Russian bombs in the eastern frontline city of Kramatorsk, the civil protection agency said on Telegram.

Dozens of people received psychiatric care due to the strikes which damaged a large number of residential buildings and cars, it said.

Kramatorsk, a former industrial hub in the embattled Donetsk region, is located only some 15 kilometres from the frontline.

On Tuesday evening, a fresh attack on the industrial hub of Dnipro killed four, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Prosecutors said the city was targeted by missiles.

dozens were killed

It comes after reports earlier on Tuesday that several people had been killed in central Ukraine, as Russian attacks appear to continue unabated despite both sides preparing for rival ceasefires later this week.

The governor of the Poltava region, Vitaliy Dyakivnych, said four people were killed and 37 injured in missile and drone strikes at two locations. An industrial plant and railway infrastructure were damaged.

Civil defence authorities said two emergency responders were among the dead. After an initial strike, Russian forces hit the site again in a so-called “double tap” attack targeting first responders. Another 23 rescue workers were among the injured.

Zelensky condemned the strikes, calling it “utter cynicism” to push for a ceasefire to stage “propaganda celebrations” while continuing attacks in the preceding days.

The escalation comes as both sides prepare for short-term ceasefires around Russia’s Victory Day on May 9. Moscow has announced a pause in fighting for Friday and Saturday, while Kiev said it would begin its own ceasefire earlier, from midnight on Wednesday (2100 GMT Tuesday).

Russia traditionally marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II with a large military parade. This year’s commemorations are to be scaled back, which authorities said was due to the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks.

dozens were killed

Russia’s Defence Ministry warned that any attempt to disrupt the celebrations would be met with missile strikes on Kiev.

Zelensky said Russia could halt attacks at any time, arguing this would end both the war and Ukrainian counterstrikes. He also reported another fatality and four injuries in the Kharkiv region.

According to officials, two people were also injured in the Chernihiv region and three in the area around Kiev.
Ukrainian strikes reported deep inside Russia

Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes were reported deep inside Russia. Regional authorities said three people were injured in drone attacks on the city of Cheboksary on the Volga River, one of whom was hospitalized.

According to reports, a cruise missile hit a defence plant producing navigation modules for drones and missiles. Zelensky confirmed the use of long-range “Flamingo” cruise missiles, saying they struck military-industrial targets after travelling more than 1,500 kilometres.

Further attacks targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it intercepted 289 Ukrainian drones overnight, with air raid alerts issued in 18 regions.

Russia has been waging war against Ukraine for more than four years, with both sides often declaring temporary ceasefires around major public holidays.