Ceasefire Tensions Grow Amid Ongoing Drone Strikes in Ukraine and Russia

Iruni Kalupahana, Jadetimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war

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Image Source: Ed Ram

The tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue unabated as both countries disagree on the terms and authenticity of mooted ceasefires, amid the ongoing deadly drone attacks throughout the region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it would be "difficult to come into a long term ceasefire" until some matters had been resolved. This was in reaction to criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who dismissed Russia's proposed three days truce for May 8 to 10 the same period as Moscow's Victory Day celebration calling it an "attempt at manipulation."

Zelenskyy nevertheless demanded a speedy, full, and unconditional 30 days ceasefire as America suggested. Peskov responded by accusing Kyiv of politicizing the issue by labeling the silence from Ukraine in reaction to Russia's proposal as "manipulation" in itself.

The move has alarmed the United States, with President Donald Trump openly calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop shooting" and sign a peace agreement. Russia previously scuttled a U.S. suggested 30 days ceasefire offer, demanding conditions such as embargoes on Western arms shipments to Ukraine and Ukrainian military regrouping limits without offering reciprocals.

Meanwhile, drone warfare has become more militant. A Russian air raid in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region killed a 12 years old girl and injured three individuals. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was bombed by a combination of drones and guided missiles. In Kyiv, fires broke out in residential districts as the debris from shot-down drones detonated.

Ukraine's air force reported that Russia sent 100 drones overnight from late Monday to early Tuesday. Two were killed in Russia in Belgorod when a drone hit a passing vehicle and 40 were reportedly diverted overnight in various Russian regions, including Crimea.

As both sides continue to exchange blows and accusations, the humanitarian toll mounts, especially in border towns. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from Russian regions like Belgorod, which remain constantly under fire.

With no agreement in sight and both sides entrenched, the prospects for an enduring ceasefire remain unclear.