Kyiv Reports Over 100 Drones Launched by Russia as Ceasefire Ends

Kyiv announced on Sunday that over 100 drones were launched by Moscow into Ukraine during the night, shortly after the conclusion of a Russian-backed 72-hour ceasefire at midnight.

During the ceasefire, which began on Thursday, Kyiv had not reported any drone strikes but did accuse Moscow of breaching the ceasefire agreement repeatedly.

Conversely, Russia claimed that Ukraine also failed to uphold the truce.

According to Ukraine’s air force, “On the night of May 11 [beginning at 2:00 am], the adversary deployed 108 Shahed attack drones along with various imitation drones,” and noted that 60 of these had been intercepted.

These drone assaults coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s disregard for a proposed 30-day ceasefire from Europe, which had the support of the U.S. Instead, he suggested direct discussions with Kyiv later in the month.

In early Sunday remarks from the Kremlin, Putin offered to meet with Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul on May 15.

“We do not rule out that we might reach an agreement on a new ceasefire during these discussions,” stated Putin in his address.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed on Sunday that he anticipates Moscow will agree to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, asserting that Kyiv is “prepared” for direct negotiations with Russia.

“Continuing the violence for even a single day is pointless. We expect Russia to announce a ceasefire—one that is complete, enduring, and dependable—beginning tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine stands ready to engage,” Zelensky shared via social media.

“It is encouraging that the Russians are beginning to contemplate an end to the war,” he added. “The entire world has awaited this moment for a long time. The initial step towards genuinely concluding any conflict is a ceasefire.”

On his return from Ukraine, where he participated in announcing the European-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that Putin’s offer was “insufficient” and accused him of seeking to “buy time.”

Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine has persisted for over three years.