Ceasefire Violations, Nuclear Missile Tests, and Putin’s Coup Rumors – Ukraine Latest, May 6

Zelensky’s response to Russia’s ceasefire violations, Russia’s plan to test nuclear-capable missiles, and potential breakthroughs in US-Iran war – updates from Ukraine and beyond Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / This handout photograph taken and released on May 5, 2026 by the press service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces shows people gathered next to a victim of a Russian air attack wrapped in a plastic sheet in Kramatorsk, eastern Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by IRYNA RYBAKOVA / The 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia violated Ukraine’s unilateral ceasefire 1,820 times. Despite Kyiv’s unilateral May 6 ceasefire that’s backed by the West , Moscow continued its attacks unabated , sending drones, missiles, and guided bombs across Ukraine alongside daily frontline clashes, hitting a kindergarten in northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy and killing multiple civilians – after killing 22 people hours before the ceasefire entered into effect. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Ukraine’s top diplomat said the violations show the Kremlin cares more about its parade – also evidenced by the redeployment of air defense around Moscow – while Zelensky said Kyiv is considering a “mirror response” on May 9. Amid rumors of planned coups against Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Moscow also announced a nuclear-capable missile test ahead of May 9, in what could be interpreted as a show of force. The cleanup operation along the Black Sea is also ongoing, with Russian authorities working to ensure the tourist season can begin after Ukrainian strikes on refineries covered parts of the coast in soot. Workers set up barriers to prevent petroleum products from flowing into the Black Sea from the river following a spill caused by a recent drone attack on the Tuapse oil refinery in Tuapse, Krasnodar region on April 29, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by AFP) Other Topics of Interest Hungary Returns Seized Oschadbank Funds Months After Detention, Zelensky Says Kyiv said cash and valuables taken in March have now been fully returned to Ukraine. At the same time, Russian cadets were reportedly deployed to help guard oil infrastructure following recent strikes – strikes that, according to some estimates, have failed to cut into Russia’s windfall revenues amid skyrocketing oil prices. The deputy head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office now said Ukraine’s war damage is over a trillion dollars , while Russia has reportedly accelerated efforts to extract Ukraine’s mineral wealth in occupied regions . At least the funds seized by Budapest during the armored vehicle fiasco in March have now been returned . Additional funding might also come in the form of a UAE defense fund eyeing purchases of Ukrainian drones – and potentially from Bahrain, as Kyiv and the Gulf kingdom also decided to open reciprocal embassies , which might pave the way for more cooperation. But securing the country’s gas and oil infrastructure remains a headache – amid reports that Russia targeted Ukraine’s emergency responders over 400 times since 2022, recent strikes also suggest that Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian gas stations using long-range first-person view drones. It is unclear if the war is really over. Washington said Operation Epic Fury is over – now replaced with Operation Project Freedom , which is supposed to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz but was paused by US President Donald Trump after just a day, despite his claim that the US blockade remains in full force. In any case, after the top US and Russian diplomats discussed Iran in a Moscow-initiated call , the US and Iran are reportedly expected to sign a one-page peace deal soon – we’ll see how that plays out. Interested in more updates like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter here . Leo Chiu is a journalist and editor based in Eastern Europe since 2015. He has witnessed two presidential elections in Belarus and traveled widely to conflict zones and contested regions, producing reporting that bridges the gap between major developments and local realities.