Zelensky Denounces Putin’s "Utter Cynicism" After Russian Strikes Hit Energy Sites Despite Cease-Fire Pledge

President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply condemned Russia after Moscow carried out deadly overnight strikes across Ukraine just a day after announcing a two-day cease-fire for Victory Day celebrations. Kyiv says the attacks targeted energy infrastructure in multiple regions, causing civilian deaths, injuries and damage to critical utilities.

What Happened

Zelensky said on Tuesday that strikes hit energy facilities in the Kharkiv region, where one person was killed, and separately in Pavlohrad (Dnipropetrovsk region), Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv regions. He added that further strikes struck Poltava in central Ukraine, killing four people — including two emergency responders — and wounding dozens.

Ukrainian Retaliation

The Ukrainian president later announced Kyiv had launched missile strikes against several targets inside Russia overnight, including a military-industrial site in Cheboksary, more than 350 miles east of Moscow.

Cease-Fire Claims And Threats

The exchanges followed Moscow’s announcement on Monday that it would observe a two-day cease-fire on May 8–9 for the annual Victory Day events in Red Square. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the pause was ordered by President Vladimir Putin "in honor of the celebration of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War," and said it expected Ukraine to reciprocate.

Zelensky: "They cannot afford military equipment — and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square. This is telling. It shows they are not strong now."

Moscow warned it would "launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv" if Ukraine struck Moscow on May 9, urging civilians and foreign diplomatic staff to leave the city. Zelensky said there had been no official appeal from Russia about the brief cease-fire proposal and announced that Kyiv would impose its own cease-fire beginning at midnight local time (5 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, saying Ukraine would "act reciprocally" from that moment.

International Reactions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he "wants to get a settlement" between Russia and Ukraine while commenting on Kyiv’s drone deals with Gulf partners. Trump also referenced a tense Oval Office exchange with Zelensky and recalled his own peace proposal from November, which Zelensky publicly criticized.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom reaffirmed plans to join a €90 billion European Union loan to Ukraine, approved on April 23, with payments scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. The European Commission said the loan would cover urgent budgetary and defense-industrial needs and would be contingent on reforms, including anti-corruption measures.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb reiterated support for Ukrainian accession to both the EU and NATO and praised Ukraine’s modern warfare capabilities, noting Kyiv’s assistance to Gulf partners with drone operations.

Human Cost And Context

Beyond the diplomatic maneuvers and military exchanges, these strikes underscore the continuing human toll and the vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Officials report at least five people killed and dozens injured in the strikes described above; investigations and damage assessments are ongoing.

Note: Details such as casualty figures and specific target assessments remain subject to confirmation by independent sources as the situation develops.