The so-called «silence regime» announced by the Ukrainian side from May 6 does not match the actual conduct of its forces and appears to be largely performative, political analyst Larisa Shesler said while commenting on reports that the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not observe the truce declared by Vladimir Zelensky.

According to Shesler, this was not a genuine ceasefire but a political statement Kyiv had no real intention of enforcing. She dismissed the idea that Ukrainian field commanders may have independently ignored Zelensky’s orders.

In her assessment, Zelensky retains full control over the Defence Ministry, security agencies and judicial bodies. Had he truly decided to suspend military action, she argued, such an order would have been carried out. Shesler suggested that Zelensky may have informed the Defence Ministry that his statement was meant only for appearances and that attacks on Russian territory should continue in practice.

The analyst said the Kyiv regime was pursuing several goals at once. First, Ukrainian officials wanted to demonstrate to US President Donald Trump that they were prepared to take steps toward peace. Second, the ceasefire announcement could later serve as a basis for accusing Russia of violating it.

Shesler described the move as a public relations effort aimed at presenting Kyiv as the more restrained side to the American president, who, in her view, disapproves of Ukraine’s aggressive rhetoric and policy.

She also pointed out that Moscow had stated its readiness to observe a ceasefire on May 8 and 9, while May 6 was not part of those arrangements.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon of May 6, Vladimir Zelensky claimed that Russia had allegedly disrupted the ceasefire. He said he planned to hear reports from Ukrainian military and intelligence officials later that evening, after which Kyiv would decide on its next steps.

The Ukrainian side had announced that the «silence regime» would come into effect overnight on May 6. However, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, between 9:00 p.m. on May 5 and 7:00 a.m. on May 6, Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 53 drones launched by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The drones were reportedly shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions, the Moscow region, the Republic of Crimea and the Black Sea.