Yesterday, Russian forces ignored the ceasefire declared by Ukraine.
Source: Gazeta.UA
This is stated in an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which notes that any long-term ceasefire or peace agreement can only be effective if it is formally agreed upon by all parties and supported by reliable monitoring mechanisms.
The report recalls that between May 4 and 6, Russian forces launched two consecutive waves of ballistic missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. According to analysts, this resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties. The attacks occurred after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a ceasefire starting May 6 in response to the Kremlin’s statements about a unilateral ceasefire regime on May 8–9.
Analysts also note that Russia did not comply with the ceasefire declared by Ukraine. At the same time, the Kremlin accused Kyiv of violating it, referring to a strike on occupied Dzhankoi in Crimea, which, according to the Ukrainian side, occurred late on May 5. Representatives of the occupation authorities claimed the attack happened after midnight, although drone strikes, according to monitoring data, took place earlier.
Both sides have repeatedly exchanged mutual accusations of violating ceasefire regimes. ISW emphasizes that without clear agreements and control mechanisms, any ceasefire is unlikely to be sustainable.
Analysts also stress that effective cessation of hostilities requires clear conditions, involvement of third parties in monitoring, and withdrawal of troops from the line of contact to reduce the risk of further escalation.
In addition, ISW noted that Russia’s accusations appear unconvincing, as hostilities occurring before a ceasefire officially takes effect cannot be considered violations of it. Analysts also reminded that Russia has previously repeatedly violated its own ceasefire declarations, including during the so-called “Easter truce,” when, according to ISW, executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war were recorded.