Russia Ends Brief Lull With 200+ Drone Strike, Zelensky Warns of ‘Mirror Response’

Russia launched over 200 drones and multiple airstrikes across Ukraine following a brief truce, damaging infrastructure and killing civilians. Zelensky vowed a “symmetrical” response and urged stronger sanctions. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Telegram) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russia “chose to end” a brief period of reduced hostilities and launched more than 200 strike drones against Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, warning that Kyiv will respond “mirror-like” to Russian actions. In a post on social media , Zelensky said the attack also involved more than 80 aerial bombs and over 30 airstrikes along the front line. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Ukrainian air defenses intercepted drones over Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv regions, as well as Kyiv and the surrounding area, according to the president. The attacks damaged energy infrastructure, residential apartment buildings, a kindergarten, and a civilian railway locomotive. “It is known that there are wounded as a result of these strikes. Unfortunately, there are also killed. My condolences to the families and loved ones,” Zelensky wrote. The president added that Ukraine would respond symmetrically to Russian actions, saying Moscow must take steps toward a real and lasting ceasefire. “Russia must end this war, and it is Russia that must take the step toward a real, lasting ceasefire,” he said. The escalation came after a short ceasefire period that was not observed by either side. Despite the announcement of a 72-hour truce, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of repeated violations , with continued frontline fighting and attacks reported throughout the period, according to battlefield monitoring and official statements. Other Topics of Interest Trump Casts Doubt on Iran Ceasefire, Criticizes Proposal US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran remains fragile and could collapse, criticizing Tehran’s latest proposal as unacceptable. He insisted any agreement must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and accused the country of reversing earlier commitments. Negotiations continue through intermediaries, but major differences between the sides remain unresolved. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Tuesday that Kyiv had proposed extending a partial ceasefire beyond May 11 but instead received a new wave of strikes.  “It is time to strengthen our positions and force Moscow to end the war. Putin must realize that the situation will only worsen for him. His only option must be to stop the terror,” he was reported as saying by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Telegram .  He called for tougher sanctions and sustained international pressure, saying Moscow must face consequences for rejecting peace efforts. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.