Russia launched one of its deadliest waves of attacks this year on Ukraine, killing at least 27 people just hours before Kyiv’s ceasefire was set to begin. The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia bore the brunt of the assault, with heavy aerial bombings and drone strikes causing widespread destruction to residential areas and infrastructure. Strikes were also reported in Kramatorsk, Chernihiv, and Dnipro, as well as critical energy sites in the Poltava region and Kharkiv region. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz confirmed casualties among workers and rescue teams, with gas supplies disrupted for thousands of civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, accusing Moscow of “utter cynicism” for launching attacks while announcing a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Russia claimed Ukrainian drone strikes caused civilian casualties in Crimea and other regions.