Tumultuous, bloody week unfolds in Ukraine and Russia after brief ceasefire

"A limited truce that appeared to halt large-scale aerial attacks - but failed to stop ground fighting - expired on Tuesday. In the early hours of Thursday, Kyiv was struck by what officials in the Ukrainian capital said was one of the largest combined drone and missile attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, killing at least 24 people. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, called the attack the "largest enemy attack on the capital" and declared May 15 a day of mourning."

""Russia has used more than 1,560 drones against our cities and communities," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media. "These are definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end." By Friday morning, officials said that at least three of the dead in Kyiv were children. In the Kharkiv region, officials reported that 39 people were injured as a result of strikes, including nine children."

"Ukraine hit back Friday, striking an oil refinery and an apartment complex in Ryazan, a Russian city roughly 130 miles south of Moscow, sparking a large fire. At least four people were killed, Ryazan governor Pavel Malkov said, and 12 were injured. The oil facility, owned by energy giant Rosneft, supplies the entire Moscow region. Local news outlets reported that primary oil refining units - on which all subsequent processing at the facility depends - had been damaged."

"Drones also struck two residential buildings in Ryazan, including the "Tricolor" high-rise, painted in the colors of the Russian flag. Authorities in four other western Russian cities also reported drone strikes. In Ukraine, the upheaval was not limited to the barrage of airstrikes."

A limited truce that reduced large-scale aerial attacks expired, while ground fighting continued. Early Thursday, Kyiv was hit by one of the largest combined drone and missile attacks since the full-scale invasion began, killing at least 24 people and prompting a day of mourning. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia had used more than 1,560 drones against cities and communities, and that the attacks did not indicate the war was ending. By Friday morning, officials said children were among the dead and many were injured in Kharkiv. Ukraine retaliated by striking an oil refinery and an apartment complex in Ryazan, causing a large fire and reported casualties. Drones also struck residential buildings in Ryazan and were reported in other western Russian cities.

Read at The Washington Post