LONDON — At least one individual perished and two others sustained injuries following an overnight Russian drone assault on a kindergarten facility in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy province, as stated by regional authorities on Wednesday, even as Moscow's cross-border offensives persisted despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's single-sided declaration of a brief cessation of hostilities commencing at Tuesday midnight.
Ukraine's aerial forces communicated via Telegram that Russia deployed 108 unmanned aerial vehicles and three projectiles into the nation during the night, with 89 of the drones being either intercepted or neutralized. The projectiles and nine drones caused damage in eight distinct zones, the air force indicated.
Russia's Defense Ministry, conversely, asserted that it had brought down at least 53 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry didn't elaborate on whether any Ukrainian drones were taken down following the initiation of the Ukrainian ceasefire at Tuesday midnight.
Sumy figured among several locations targeted by Russia's overnight attacks. Ukraine's Interior Ministry communicated via Telegram that Russian attacks in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in at least four fatalities and 19 injuries, with damage to infrastructure, along with administrative and residential buildings.
A resident with a dog and rescuers run during an air raid alarm at the site of the kindergarten hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine May 6, 2026.Stringer/Reuters
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the ministry stated that two women were wounded as a result of a drone attack on a home in the city's southwestern sector, which also ignited a blaze.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service further reported a Russian drone assault on an apartment complex situated in the southern city of Kherson.
The Tuesday night attacks came after a significant Russian projectile and drone offensive against multiple Ukrainian cities earlier in the day, during which officials reported at least 28 deaths.
Zelenskyy released a statement on Wednesday denouncing what he characterized as Russia's "savage offensives" and Moscow's rejection of the 24-hour truce put forward by Kyiv.
"Across all principal frontline regions, offensive engagements are underway, and merely since the commencement of today, the Russian military has executed approximately 30 offensive actions. In excess of 20 aerial assaults involving over 70 air-dropped munitions were documented just last night and this morning," Zelenskyy penned.
Rescuers work at the site of the kindergarten hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine May 6, 2026.Stringer/Reuters
"Throughout the night, the Russian forces also initiated assaults utilizing various categories of drones," the Ukrainian president added.
"Ukraine has explicitly conveyed that it will reciprocate in kind, taking into account the ongoing Russian solicitations through media outlets and social platforms to preserve quiet during the Moscow procession," Zelenskyy composed, alluding to the approaching "Victory Day" festivities slated for May 9 in the Russian capital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a self-imposed ceasefire on May 8 and May 9 earlier this week. Subsequently, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would acknowledge its own 24-hour cessation of fighting, commencing at midnight on May 5.
"Russia needs to bring an end to its present conflict. Irrespective of internet disruptions and the majority of Russians' communications being obstructed, it remains absolutely apparent that their leadership could emerge from hiding and opt for peace," Zelenskyy expressed. "Our diplomatic proposals are in Russia's possession, and the sole requisite element is Russia's readiness to advance towards authentic peace."
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, personnel work to extinguish a fire following a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on May 6, 2026.AP
"As of the present day, we acknowledge that the Russian side has derailed the ceasefire. Drawing from the outcomes of our military and intelligence reports from the evening, we shall ascertain our subsequent steps," he concluded.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com