Russian forces have reportedly relocated air defense assets to defend Moscow City itself ahead of the May 9 Victory Day parade. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on May 6 that Ukrainian intelligence has observed reports that Russian forces have relocated air defense systems from other Russian federal subjects to defend Moscow City itself, demonstrating that the Kremlin continues efforts to prepare to defend the May 9 Victory Day parade.[24] ISW observed reports of Russian forces redeploying air defense assets to Moscow ahead of the May 9 Victory Day parade on May 3.[25] The relocation of air defenses to Moscow City likely reflects Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognition that he must increase Russian investment in air defenses, including defenses for deep rear areas, given the intensifying volume and range of Ukrainian strikes.[26] https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6-2026 Russia decisively ignored the Ukrainian ceasefire and launched a series of drones and missiles that killed at least 21 civilians and injured at least 82. The Ukrainian Air Force reported on May 6 that Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Kh-31 cruise missile, and 108 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, Parodiya, and other drones against Ukraine between 1830 on May 5 to 0800 on May 6 local time.[12] The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces downed 89 drones, that all three missiles and nine drones struck eight locations, and that downed debris fell on one location as of 0800 local time. Zaporizhia Oblast Military Administration Head Ivan Fedorov reported that Russian forces launched two missiles against Zaporizhzhia City, killing 12 civilians and injuring 51 others.[13] Donetsk Oblast Police reported that Russian forces conducted three FAB-250 glide bomb strikes against Kramatorsk, killing at least five and injuring at least 12.[14] Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched a ballistic missile against Dnipro City, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on the night of May 5 killed at least four civilians and injured at least 19 others.[15] Ukrainian officials reported that Russian strikes also targeted Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts.[16] Russian forces have conducted two consecutive relatively small strike packages containing ballistic missiles on May 4 to 5 and 5 to 6 that have inflicted extremely high civilian casualties. https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6-2026 Russian and Ukrainian unilateral ceasefires and accusations of ceasefire violations continue to demonstrate the necessity that any ceasefire or peace agreement be formally agreed to in advance by all parties and include robust monitoring mechanisms. The prevalence of mutual accusations and continued ground activity from the early hours of the ceasefire highlights the fact that ceasefires without explicit enforcement mechanisms, credible monitoring, and defined dispute resolution processes are unlikely to hold.[17] Any durable cessation of hostilities will require both sides to establish clear terms, implement third-party monitoring systems, and withdraw forces from the line of contact to reduce the risk of violations and escalation.[18] VERY BIG TOP NEWS TODAY 🔝🔥 FSB in Armyansk (Crimea) hit!🚁 Russia lost a multi-purpose Mi-8 helicopter on May 5🔥 Strike on enemy military trains – “Prymary” of the GUR in Crimea disrupted the railway logistics of the occupiers.🇳🇴 Norway allocated $302 million for the… pic.twitter.com/NTMhMRK0RD— MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) May 6, 2026 Hungary returned stolen money and gold to Ukraine. https://tinyurl.com/bmdn7s9b Key TakeawaysUkraine unilaterally enacted a ceasefire starting at midnight on the night of May 5 to 6 in response to Russia’s unilaterally declared Victory Day ceasefire planned for May 9.*The Russian military ignored Ukraine’s unilaterally-declared ceasefire and the Kremlin accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire despite the fact that Russian forces conducted combat missions after the unilateral Ukrainian ceasefire began in the morning of May 6.*Russia decisively ignored the Ukrainian ceasefire and launched a series of drones and missiles that killed at least 21 civilians and injured at least 82.*Russian efforts to shield the Russian populace from the effects of rising global oil prices and damages to Russian oil infrastructure are preventing Russia from realizing the full benefits of increased oil and gas revenue.*Ukrainian forces advanced in Western Zaporizhia Oblast. Russian forces advanced in Sumy Oblast. https://t.co/CcEvmfexO8 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Operational update as of 10:00 PM on May 6, 2026, regarding the Russian invasion A total of 120 combat engagements have taken place since the start of this 24-hour period. The enemy launched one missile strike using two missiles and carried out 47 airstrikes, dropping 173 guided bombs. Additionally, they deployed 5,649 kamikaze drones and fired 1,862 rounds at populated areas and our troops’ positions. In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions today, the enemy carried out 5 airstrikes using 14 guided aerial bombs and conducted 59 shelling attacks on our troops’ positions and populated areas, seven of them using multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). One enemy assault operation was recorded. In the Southern Slobozhansky direction, the enemy attacked the positions of our units 11 times in the areas of Vovchansk, Starytsia, and toward Lypets, Lyman, Izbytskyi, Mala Vovcha, and Symynivka. One of these attacks is ongoing. In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attacked six times toward Kurylivka, Pishchane, Novoplatonivka, and in the area of Borivska Andriivka. One of these attacks is ongoing. In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops repelled 15 assaults by the occupiers in the areas of the settlements of Nadiya, Stavy, Yampil, and toward Lyman, Novosergiivka, and Ozerny. One engagement is still ongoing. In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy did not conduct any assaults. In the Kramatorsk sector, no attacks by the occupiers were recorded. In the Kostiantynivka sector, the occupiers launched 14 assaults today on the positions of our defenders near the settlements of Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, and Stepanivka, as well as in the direction of Kostiantynivka and Novopavlivka. In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy carried out 25 attacks. The occupiers attempted to advance toward the settlements of Nikanorivka, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Serhiivka, and Molodetske. One of these attacks is ongoing. According to preliminary estimates, 42 occupiers were eliminated and 25 wounded in this sector today; three enemy vehicles and three enemy shelters were destroyed. Additionally, five enemy vehicles, 10 enemy shelters, four artillery pieces, and one UAV command post were damaged. A total of 200 UAVs of various types were destroyed or neutralized. In the Oleksandrivka sector, the occupiers launched a single attack toward Verbove. In the Huliaipole sector, 15 attacks by the occupiers were recorded in the areas of Zlagoda, Dobropillia, Staroukrainka, and Zeleny, as well as toward the settlements of Hirke and Huliaipole. In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy launched one attack in the area of Shcherbakiv. In the Prydniprovsk direction, the enemy carried out two attacks toward Antonivka and Bilohrudyi Island. In other directions, there were no significant changes in the situation. Let’s defeat the enemy and bring our Victory closer! Glory to Ukraine! https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6-2026/ The U.S. is setting records for fertilizer purchases from RussiaIn March, the United States imported more than $240 million worth of Russian fertilizers — the highest level in the history of bilateral trade.For the quarter, the total reached $564 million, up 37% year-on-year.… pic.twitter.com/RTequZWdMw— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 6, 2026 Russia boosted cash inflows from its oil exports to the highest since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, writes @JLeeEnergy https://t.co/Jbff7GhROu— Bloomberg (@business) May 5, 2026
