The remarks came after overnight attacks killed several people across Ukraine, despite both sides announcing unilateral pauses in hostilities on different dates. Moscow has proposed a ceasefire around its May 9 Victory Day celebrations, while Kyiv said it would halt fire on May 6.

“It is utter cynicism to ask for a ceasefire in order to hold propaganda celebrations while carrying out such missile and drone strikes every single day,” Zelensky said in a statement, adding that Russia could end the war at any time by stopping its attacks.In the central Poltava region, a Russian strike killed four people, including employees of state energy firm Naftogaz and emergency responders, Ukrainian officials said.

Authorities described the incident as a “double-tap” strike, in which a second attack targets rescuers responding to an initial hit.In the northeastern Kharkiv region, one person was killed as Russia launched a broader wave of attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Russia’s defense ministry said it had intercepted more than 300 Ukrainian drones over the same period, reflecting intensifying aerial exchanges between the two sides.The Kremlin has scaled back its annual Victory Day parade in Moscow amid concerns about potential Ukrainian strikes, with no military hardware expected to be displayed this year.

Despite periodic ceasefire announcements, there is no indication of progress toward a broader settlement. Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donbas region and abandon Western military support, conditions Kyiv has rejected.

The conflict, now in its fourth year, remains the deadliest in Europe since World War Two, with both sides continuing long-range strikes far beyond front-line positions.

The authorities said that since a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10 last year, 830 Palestinians have been killed and 2,345 injured, indicating continued casualties despite the truce.

Officials added that many victims are believed to remain buried under rubble, suggesting the overall death toll could rise further as recovery efforts continue.

The figures, provided by health authorities in Gaza, could not be independently verified.

Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said two apartment blocks were hit in the attack, leading to a partial collapse of one building entrance. The victims were later pulled from the rubble during rescue operations.“Two people an adult woman and a child have died in Syzran following an attack by an enemy drone,” Fedorishchev said in a statement, describing the incident as a crime against civilians.

Russia’s Emergency Ministry, cited by domestic news agencies, said rescue efforts had been completed and that no additional victims were believed to be trapped under the debris. No further casualty details were provided.

There was no immediate response from Ukraine. Both Kyiv and Moscow have consistently denied deliberately targeting civilian populations since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The strike comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian infrastructure in recent months, particularly energy-related sites, while U.S.-mediated peace talks remain on hold and Washington’s attention is partly focused on escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Syzran, located roughly 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is home to a major oil refinery, underscoring its strategic importance within Russia’s energy network.

The agency said the strike targeted a group of civilians near Al-Qassam mosque in Beit Lahia, with the victims transported to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Hospital officials confirmed receiving the bodies but did not provide additional details.

The Israeli military said it was reviewing the reports and did not immediately comment further.The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel Defense Forces and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of violating a ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

The truce largely halted the war that began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 786 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began. The ministry operates under Hamas authority, though its casualty figures are widely cited by international organizations including the United Nations.

The Israeli military has reported that five of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza during the same period.Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult due to restrictions on media access to the territory and ongoing security conditions.

Speaking at St. Peter’s Square after his Regina Coeli prayer, the pontiff said he felt “closer than ever” to Lebanon amid escalating violence, describing a moral obligation under international law to shield civilians from the effects of war.“

The principle of humanity entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war,” he said, addressing crowds gathered at the Vatican.

Lebanon has been drawn into the regional conflict since last month, as Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 2,000 people killed.

Without naming specific countries, the pope urged warring sides to seek a peaceful resolution, reiterating calls for dialogue and mediation over continued military escalation.

His remarks followed the failure of recent talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan to reach an agreement aimed at ending the broader conflict.

On Saturday, the pope delivered one of his strongest appeals yet against the war, calling on leaders to halt hostilities and return to negotiations. “Stop! It is time for peace!” he said, criticizing what he described as a growing reliance on rearmament and displays of power.

The 70-year-old pontiff, who leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, has repeatedly called for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

He is scheduled to travel to Algeria on Monday for an 11-day visit focused on interfaith dialogue and strengthening ties with the Islamic world.

The ceremony, scheduled for mid-April, will coincide with the inauguration of a newly built memorial museum dedicated to troops killed during overseas deployment, particularly in Russia’s Kursk region, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

South Korean officials estimate that around 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed since Pyongyang deployed thousands of personnel, along with missiles and munitions, to support Moscow’s war effort. North Korea confirmed last year that its forces were engaged in combat operations abroad and had suffered casualties.

Leader Kim Jong Un has overseen preparations for the ceremony and inspected the nearly completed museum, which state media said is 97% finished. KCNA reported that Kim praised the project as a symbol of “heroism” and described it as a site for promoting patriotism and commemorating the fallen.

Analysts say North Korea’s support for Russia has been reciprocated through financial assistance, food supplies, energy resources and military technology transfers, helping Pyongyang mitigate the impact of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons program.

The burial ceremony will mark the first anniversary of what state media described as the “liberation operations” in Kursk, underscoring Pyongyang’s alignment with Moscow’s narrative of the conflict.

Kim has previously presided over similar commemorative events, with state media releasing images showing him paying respects to fallen soldiers, including ceremonies involving flag-draped coffins and interactions with returning troops.