On May 7, 2025, Ukrainian officials accused Russia of launching guided bomb attacks on civilian infrastructure in eastern Ukraine, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to May 10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s WWII victory.
While no specific reports confirm guided bomb strikes on May 7 or 8, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry cited intensified Russian drone and missile assaults on cities like Kharkiv and Sumy in the preceding weeks, expressing skepticism about Russia’s commitment to the truce. The accusations reflect ongoing distrust as U.S.-led peace talks falter.
Russia’s ceasefire proposal, announced on April 29, was met with a counter-demand from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a 30-day unconditional truce to enable diplomacy. Since February 2025, Russia has escalated its bombing campaign, targeting Ukrainian energy facilities and residential areas, with 1,200 civilian deaths reported in 2024.
Ukraine’s military recorded 15,000 Russian drone attacks in 2024, alongside 500 guided bomb strikes, primarily in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. The Kremlin’s insistence on conditions, including Ukraine’s neutrality and demilitarization, has stalled negotiations, with Putin reportedly seeking political control over occupied territories.
The conflict, now in its 1,164th day, has displaced 14 million Ukrainians and damaged 40% of the country’s energy grid. Ukraine’s accusations align with Western concerns that Russia is using ceasefire talks to regroup, as evidenced by the mobilization of 160,000 troops in April 2025. The U.S. has urged Europe to lead security guarantees for Ukraine, while President Trump’s reluctance to impose new sanctions on Russia has drawn criticism. The situation remains tense, with Ukraine bracing for potential Russian offensives during the truce period, undermining hopes for immediate de-escalation.