Airstrikes Continue Amid Conflicting Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Proposals... At Least 20 Killed

(Seoul=Yonhap) As Russia and Ukraine engage in diplomatic maneuvering by proposing unilateral ceasefires on different timelines, Russian airstrikes killed at least 20 people in Ukraine on the 5th.

The Ukrainian government issued a statement on the 5th (local time) saying it would enter its own ceasefire starting on the 6th and would 'act symmetrically' according to Russia's actions. This is interpreted as a countermeasure to Moscow's earlier declaration of a temporary cessation of hostilities for the World War II Victory Day (May 9) military parade.

However, skepticism is growing about the effectiveness of the ceasefires as the two sides' timing and duration do not align. Kyiv has repeatedly emphasized that Russia unilaterally announced a short-term, political ceasefire solely for the Victory Day event, and that a comprehensive ceasefire of at least 30 days is necessary to lead to genuine peace negotiations.

Even on the 5th, ahead of the ceasefire taking effect, Russian forces continued missile and drone attacks against Ukraine's eastern and southern fronts. According to local authorities, the airstrikes killed at least 20 people, including civilians, and injured many more. There were also continued reports that residential areas and energy infrastructure were the main targets.

Russia has threatened that if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day events, it will launch 'massive retaliatory strikes' against central Kyiv. Earlier on the 4th, a drone presumed to have been operated by Ukraine struck a luxury mixed-use building in downtown Moscow, further escalating tensions.

The international community is concerned that the unilateral ceasefire declarations by both sides may amount to nothing more than superficial peace gestures. The European Union (EU) and the Group of Seven (G7) have repeatedly urged the need for 'negotiations based on a sincere ceasefire and the restoration of territorial sovereignty.'