The Russian Federation has officially ignored Ukraine’s proposal for a ceasefire, continuing its aggressive shelling of Ukrainian regions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed this in a video address on May 6, stating that Russia’s only response to the peace initiative has been an intensification of strikes.
Zelenskyy noted that reports of attacks were streaming in almost hourly from across the country, affecting Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. “Russia has not stopped any form of its military activity. Unfortunately, not a single one,” the President emphasized. He warned that Ukraine would respond symmetrically, with further actions determined by the security situation on the ground.
This refusal to engage in a ceasefire highlights the continued escalation of the conflict. While Moscow attempted to dictate its own terms for a temporary pause to facilitate its annual May 9 military parade, the reality on the frontlines remains brutal. The ongoing critical situation on the Pokrovsk axis and the relentless shelling of civilian areas demonstrate that the Kremlin has no genuine intent to de-escalate.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine remains prepared to work toward a just peace and knows how to coordinate with partners if the Russian leadership seeks a diplomatic path. However, he pointed out that the current administration in Moscow appears preoccupied only with the optics of its military spectacle. “Russia has fought itself into a position where even their main parade now depends on us. This is a clear signal: it is time to end this,” the President added.
As the night-time terror continues, Ukraine remains committed to defending its territory. The failure of the proposed “regime of silence” serves as further proof of the aggressor’s strategy, which relies on force rather than international dialogue. Ukraine’s leadership continues to call on the global community to recognize these actions as clear violations of humanitarian norms while preparing its own defensive measures to protect the sovereignty of the nation.