Ukraine conducts 'mass drone strikes' on Russian cities after Zelenskyy rejected Putin's 3-day truce offer

As the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on, reports are emerging that Ukraine has struck several Russian cities in what is being called a “mass drone attack”. The strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin's, offer for a three-day truce in the war, which has been dragging on for three years.

On Saturday, local Russian officials said apartment blocks in the Black Sea town of Novorossiysk were damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes. Meanwhile, Krasnodar region governor Venyamin Kondratiev reiterated the claim and noted that the Black Sea coast had undergone a “mass attack” by the Ukrainian military.

In the Novorossiysk attack, the authorities stated that five people, including two children, were injured, LBC reported. Footages circulating online show the scale of damage to the apartment blocks following the strikes. In light of this, the Russian authorities declared a local state of emergency.

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Crimea also gets hit

The Russian authorities noted that the Ukrainian drones were shot down over Crimea and several other regions. Apart from this, a church near the two of Belgorod, hundreds of miles to the north, was also hit by detonating drones. It is pertinent to note that the Ukrainian drone strike came after Russia attacked Kharkiv, a Ukrainian city, injuring nearly 50 people.

This spate of attacks came after Ukraine rejected Russia’s offer for a three-day truce next weekend. Russia has been pushing for a temporary ceasefire as it prepares for the Victory Day Parade to mark the Soviet Union’s victory in the Second World War. The event is celebrated annually on May 9.

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While rejecting the Russian offer, Zelenskyy slammed Putin, calling the truce offer a “performance”. The Ukrainian leader noted that he was ready for a truce but for 30 days rather than three. Last month, Ukraine alleged that Kremlin breached the Easter truce more than 3,000 times, despite the fact that the truce was pushed by Putin himself.

“This is more of a theatrical performance on his part," Zelenskyy said about Putin’s latest offer. “Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war. Ukraine will not be playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin’s exit from isolation on May 9," he added.

Earlier, Putin called for a 72-hour ceasefire, which would begin on May 8. The truce would coincide with the arrival of several world leaders in Moscow to mark Victory Day. In the past, Russia has blocked a 30-day pause deal proposed by the US, garnering US President Donald Trump’s wrath.

“We cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for your security, and therefore, we will not give you any guarantees,” Zelenkyy said.

Russia hits back

Meanwhile, Russia slammed the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of risking the security of its World War Two celebrations. Kremlin went on to warn that Kyiv “may not survive” until May 10 if Ukraine attacks Moscow during the May 9 commemoration.

“He is threatening the physical safety of veterans who will come to parades and celebrations on the holy day,” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said on Telegram. “His statement … is, of course, a direct threat.”

Tensions between the two nations are escalating, especially after the US announced that it is pulling out of formal peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Washington urged both countries to come up with “concrete” proposals to end the war. “Donald Trump will no longer act as a mediator between the two countries”, the State Department confirmed earlier this week.

“The US is changing the methodology of how we contribute to talks and will stop travelling around the world at the drop of a hat for negotiations,” Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, said at a press briefing. “Now it is up to the two sides, the time has come when they must present and develop concrete ideas on how to end this conflict. It will be up to them,” she added.