At least 27 people were killed in a wave of Russian attacks across eastern Ukraine on May 5–6, 2026, including strikes in Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk, Dnipro, and the Poltava region. The attacks came hours before Ukraine’s proposed open-ended ceasefire was set to begin at midnight. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the timing, saying Russia showed no sign of de-escalation and instead intensified terror. In response to Russia’s declared two-day ceasefire for Victory Day commemorations, Ukraine offered a reciprocal but open-ended pause in hostilities, which Russia did not acknowledge.

On the cultural front, Russia’s participation in the 61st Venice Biennale has drawn widespread criticism. The Russian pavilion is only open during preview days and will not welcome the public during the six-month exhibition. The move follows the resignation of the Biennale’s jury over the inclusion of both Russia and Israel. The event has lost €2 million in EU funding due to Russia’s presence, though organizers defended the decision based on diplomatic relations with Italy.

Ukrainian artists have responded symbolically: a Soviet fighter jet in a Donbas park was replaced with an origami deer sculpture by Zhanna Kadryova, later evacuated due to proximity to the frontline. Co-curator Ksenia Malykh criticized the Biennale’s neutrality, stating, “You can’t be neutral when people are dying every day because of Russians.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. approved a $373.6 million sale of extended-range munitions to Ukraine and Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the latter’s request. Additionally, Finnish authorities reported suspected drone incursions from Ukraine, flying from south into Russian territory via Finnish airspace—highlighting the war’s expanding regional footprint.