UN welcomes Ukraine, Russia unilateral ceasefires amid fresh strikes
Synopsis
The UN welcomed unilateral ceasefires from both Ukraine and Russia — but on the very same day, Russian aerial strikes killed at least 17 people in Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk. The gap between diplomatic announcements and ground reality has rarely been starker.
Key Takeaways
The United Nations welcomed unilateral ceasefires announced by both Ukraine (from 5–6 May ) and Russia (over 8–9 May ).
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated Secretary-General António Guterres' call for a full, immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire.
At least 17 people were killed and 52 injured in Russian aerial attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk on Tuesday.
In Zaporizhzhia , guided bombs killed 12 and wounded 39 , according to Governor Ivan Fedorov .
In Kramatorsk , three high-explosive bombs killed at least 5 and injured 13 , according to Governor Vadym Filashkin .
The United Nations on 6 May welcomed the unilateral ceasefires announced by both Ukraine and Russia, even as deadly aerial attacks on two Ukrainian cities killed at least 17 people and wounded 52 others on the same day. The developments mark a fragile diplomatic moment in a conflict that has shown little sign of a sustained pause.
What the UN Said
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, confirmed the UN's position at a daily press briefing on Tuesday. "We welcome the unilateral ceasefire announced by Ukraine, to begin on the night of 5 to 6 May, as well as the one by the Russian Federation, to take place over 8 and 9 May," Dujarric said. He added that the Secretary-General looks forward to their successful implementation and reiterates his call for a "full, immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire, leading to a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions."
The Ceasefire Announcements
Russia's Defence Ministry on Monday declared a Victory Day ceasefire to cover 8 and 9 May. Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday night that Ukraine would begin its own ceasefire with Russia starting Wednesday, 7 May, according to Xinhua news agency. The two announcements are unilateral and not the result of a negotiated agreement between the parties.
Deadly Strikes on Ukrainian Cities
The ceasefire announcements came against a grim backdrop. Earlier on Tuesday, Russian aerial attacks struck two Ukrainian cities, killing at least 17 people and injuring 52 others, according to Ukrainian officials.
In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, guided aerial bombs struck several enterprises, killing 12 people and wounding 39 others, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram. The strikes also caused fires and damaged private houses, a vehicle service station, and a car wash.
In the eastern city of Kramatorsk, three high-explosive aerial bombs hit the central district, killing at least five people and injuring 13 others, according to regional Governor Vadym Filashkin. Four administrative buildings, several apartment blocks, and vehicles were damaged. Filashkin noted on Telegram that the exact number of victims was still being established.
What This Means Going Forward
The back-to-back strikes and ceasefire pledges underscore the deep mistrust between the two sides. Notably, this is not the first time temporary ceasefires have been declared during the conflict without translating into a durable halt in hostilities. The UN's call for a permanent, unconditional ceasefire remains unheeded by both parties in any binding form. How the announced pauses hold — particularly over Russia's symbolically significant Victory Day on 9 May — will be closely watched by international observers and mediators.
Point of View
Not agreements — and the timing of Tuesday's strikes makes that distinction painfully clear. Russia's Victory Day ceasefire follows a well-worn pattern of short pauses that carry symbolic weight without altering battlefield calculus. The UN's welcome is warranted but measured; Guterres' repeated calls for a permanent ceasefire have gone unheeded for over three years. Until both sides negotiate a binding framework rather than trading parallel announcements, each 'ceasefire' risks becoming another data point in a long record of broken pauses.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What ceasefires did Ukraine and Russia announce?
Ukraine announced a unilateral ceasefire beginning on the night of 5 to 6 May, while Russia's Defence Ministry declared a ceasefire covering 8 and 9 May coinciding with Victory Day. Both announcements are unilateral and not the result of a bilateral negotiated agreement.
How did the UN respond to the ceasefire announcements?
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through spokesman Stephane Dujarric, welcomed both announcements and reiterated his call for a full, immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire leading to a just and sustainable peace in line with the UN Charter and international law.
What happened in Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk on 6 May?
Russian aerial attacks on the two Ukrainian cities killed at least 17 people and wounded 52 others on Tuesday. Guided aerial bombs struck enterprises in Zaporizhzhia, killing 12 and wounding 39, while three high-explosive bombs hit central Kramatorsk, killing at least 5 and injuring 13.
Why is Russia's ceasefire timed around 8–9 May?
8–9 May marks Victory Day in Russia, commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia declared a ceasefire over this period, a move that carries significant symbolic and domestic political weight for the Kremlin.
Have previous ceasefires in the Russia-Ukraine conflict held?
Previous temporary ceasefires during the conflict have largely failed to translate into durable halts in hostilities. The pattern of unilateral or short-term pauses followed by resumed fighting has made international observers cautious about the durability of the latest announcements.
