Kremlin comments on ceasefire plans after Ukrainian drone strikes

The intensification of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory will not affect Moscow’s plans to introduce a 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces would suspend all offensive operations from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11. According to Moscow, the truce is a humanitarian gesture to mark the 80th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and could serve as a catalyst for “the start of direct negotiations with Kiev without preconditions.”

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has declined to support the ceasefire, dismissing it as a Russian ploy and an “attempt at manipulation.” Instead, Kiev has ramped up its drone strikes on Russian territory, with high-ranking Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik saying on Tuesday that the past week saw a record number of civilian casualties from such attacks, with 15 people being killed and 142 others injured.