Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Address on Day 1,537 of the War
In a video statement released on May 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is not adhering to the ceasefire declared for May 9-11. While no large-scale missile or aerial attacks have been recorded, frontline combat continues with assaults, shelling, and drone strikes. Between May 9 and 10, more than 150 assault operations and over 100 shelling incidents were documented. Additionally, Ukrainian positions were targeted by nearly 10,000 kamikaze drone strikes.
As of 4:00 PM on May 10, Ukrainian defense forces had faced 60 attacks. On May 9 alone, 51 assaults occurred along the frontline. During the night of May 9, Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Crimea and deployed 43 attack drones.
Frontline Situation
Russia unilaterally announced a ceasefire from midnight on May 8 through May 10, and Zelenskyy confirmed a three-day truce from May 9 to 11. U.S. President Donald Trump also acknowledged this three-day ceasefire. However, according to Zelenskyy,
“the Russians continue their assault activity on the key fronts. There are shellings, drone strikes of various types on the frontline... So, on the front line, the Russian army is not observing silence and is not even trying to.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that all Ukrainian units are acting 'in a mirror fashion,' defending their positions as necessary. He added:
“Going forward, we will respond in the same mirror manner. If the Russians decide to return to full-scale war, our sanctions will be immediate and tangible. Distance matters less and less—we have demonstrated this with our long-range capabilities. Ukraine always acts clearly and honestly in this regard.”
Despite the declared truce, ongoing combat indicates that hostilities persist, pointing to a potential escalation of the conflict. Zelenskyy’s remarks about Ukraine’s mirrored responses underscore the country’s readiness to counter any Russian attempts to intensify military operations. This highlights the need for continued international support for Ukraine and its capacity to react swiftly to shifts on the battlefield.
As the situation continues to escalate, President Zelenskyy has promised a reciprocal response to Russia's ongoing aggression. To understand the implications of these developments and how Ukraine plans to adapt its military strategy in light of the latest assaults, read more about Zelenskyy's commitment to a measured yet firm reaction against Russian operations.