Moscow, Russia. Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Friday of violating a unilateral two-day ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to cover anniversary celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. The accusations came as both sides continued to attack with missiles, drones and artillery.
Ceasefire announcement and Kyiv response
Putin announced a May 8-9 ceasefire to cover the celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, Russia’s most revered national holiday. Kyiv said a ceasefire limited to the holiday was inappropriate and called instead for an indefinite truce to begin two days earlier, which Moscow ignored.
Russian reports of attacks and drone interceptions
The Russian Defence Ministry said 264 Ukrainian drones had been downed in the early hours of Friday. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the capital had been targeted, and officials said the Urals region of Perm had been attacked with drones.
“Despite the declaration of a ceasefire, Ukrainian armed forces continued to launch attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery against our troops’ positions, as well as against civilian facilities in the border regions of the Belgorod and Kursk regions,” Russia’s defence ministry said.
Warnings linked to Victory Day events
Russia warned that any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt the Victory Day military parade on Red Square on Saturday would lead to a massive missile strike on Kyiv. Moscow told foreign diplomats that if Ukraine does attack the event, they should evacuate the Ukrainian capital.
Ukraine’s account of continued fighting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian forces continued to strike Ukrainian positions during the night on Friday, which he said showed Russia had not made “even a token attempt to cease fire on the front.”
“As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond in kind today as well. We will defend our positions and people’s lives,” Zelenskiy said.
Context of the conflict and the anniversary
Four years since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two, Russia and Ukraine have continued attacks in what has become a war of attrition with no victory in sight for either side.
The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in World War Two, including many millions in Ukraine, but pushed Nazi forces back to Berlin, where Adolf Hitler committed suicide and the red Soviet Victory Banner was raised over the Reichstag in May 1945.
What impact do you think the latest ceasefire accusations will have on efforts to reach a broader truce?