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Russian state media has announced the start of a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, following an order by President Vladimir Putin to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. The truce began at midnight on Thursday and is expected to last until the end of Saturday, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
However, Ukraine has rejected the ceasefire, calling it a symbolic gesture with no genuine intent. Kyiv has instead called for a more meaningful, 30-day cessation of hostilities.
Russian news agency RIA reported the truce had officially taken effect, but the hours leading up to it were marked by aerial assaults from both sides. The exchanges forced airport closures in parts of Russia and left at least two people dead in Ukraine.
The Kremlin claims its forces will abide by the ceasefire but warned that any Ukrainian attacks would be met with immediate retaliation. Putin had earlier described the pause in fighting as a humanitarian act, but his broader ceasefire proposals have been met with scepticism.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine since taking office, has so far made little headway. His joint ceasefire proposal with Ukraine was rejected by Moscow in March, and Putin has since made only limited gestures toward ending the conflict.
Ukrainian officials say they do not trust Russia to uphold the truce, citing hundreds of violations during a previous short-term ceasefire declared by Moscow over Easter.
