At least 26 people were killed and over 80 injured in widespread Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine just before a planned ceasefire.

Strikes hit multiple cities including Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Dnipro, causing significant casualties and damage.

Overnight attacks on gas facilities in Poltava and Kharkiv regions killed five workers and rescuers and disrupted energy supplies to thousands.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russia for announcing a ceasefire while continuing attacks, calling it “utter cynicism,” Al-Jazeera has reported.

Despite the violence, Ukraine said it would begin observing a ceasefire and respond based on Russia’s actions.