Russia reportedly broke its 'humanitarian' ceasefire just hours after it came into effect on Thursday, with Kyiv reporting ground assaults in several areas in Ukraine. A Ukrainian military spokesperson told Reuters today that Russian troops had continued operations in parts of the eastern front into Thursday. The air force also said that Russian aircraft had launched guided bombs on the Sumy region three times. The Russian ceasefire, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the World War Two defeat of Nazi Germany , went into effect at midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT). Putin had presented the truce as a 'humanitarian' gesture which, the Kremlin said, would test Kyiv's readiness for peace.

Russia reportedly broke its ‘humanitarian’ ceasefire just hours after it came into effect on Thursday, with Kyiv reporting ground assaults in several areas in Ukraine. A Ukrainian military spokesperson told Reuters today that Russian troops had continued operations in parts of the eastern front into Thursday. The air force also said that Russian aircraft had launched guided bombs on the Sumy region three times. The Russian ceasefire, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the World War Two defeat of Nazi Germany , went into effect at midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT). Putin had presented the truce as a ‘humanitarian’ gesture which, the Kremlin said, would test Kyiv’s readiness for peace.

Ukraine never agreed to the truce and has maintained that the ceasefire is a farce - a 'game'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instead called Putin's bluff, demanding a 30-day ceasefire instead on Wednesday, which Russia did not accept. Both sides have made overtures to peace negotiations, though U.S. mediated talks in recent weeks have failed to make substantial progress. Casting doubt on the Kremlin's truce, Kyiv accused Moscow of hundreds of violations during a previous, 30-hour ceasefire Putin ordered for Easter.

Ukraine never agreed to the truce and has maintained that the ceasefire is a farce – a ‘game’. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instead called Putin’s bluff, demanding a 30-day ceasefire instead on Wednesday, which Russia did not accept. Both sides have made overtures to peace negotiations, though U.S. mediated talks in recent weeks have failed to make substantial progress. Casting doubt on the Kremlin’s truce, Kyiv accused Moscow of hundreds of violations during a previous, 30-hour ceasefire Putin ordered for Easter.

Viktor Trehubov, a military spokesperson for Ukraine's eastern front, said Russian troops had continued to attack Ukrainian soldiers in the east after the ceasefire kicked in. Ukraine's general staff said in its readout on the state of play that there had been 139 clashes on the entire front line as of 10 p.m. Ukrainian time (1900 GMT) on Wednesday and 196 for the last day as of 8 a.m. on Thursday. It did appear relatively quiet overnight, and Ukraine's military said there had been no Russian missiles or drones in Ukrainian airspace since the ceasefire kicked in. A Reuters witness near the front in eastern Ukraine said early on Thursday he could hear no sounds of fighting. "During the current day, May 8, as of 8 a.m., no missile strikes or use of strike UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were recorded in Ukrainian airspace," the air force said on Telegram.

Viktor Trehubov, a military spokesperson for Ukraine’s eastern front, said Russian troops had continued to attack Ukrainian soldiers in the east after the ceasefire kicked in. Ukraine’s general staff said in its readout on the state of play that there had been 139 clashes on the entire front line as of 10 p.m. Ukrainian time (1900 GMT) on Wednesday and 196 for the last day as of 8 a.m. on Thursday. It did appear relatively quiet overnight, and Ukraine’s military said there had been no Russian missiles or drones in Ukrainian airspace since the ceasefire kicked in. A Reuters witness near the front in eastern Ukraine said early on Thursday he could hear no sounds of fighting. “During the current day, May 8, as of 8 a.m., no missile strikes or use of strike UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were recorded in Ukrainian airspace,” the air force said on Telegram.

As of 9:00 am (06:00 GMT), the Ukrainian capital Kyiv was quiet, in contrast to 24 hours earlier when the city had reverberated with the sound of explosions from waves of Russian airborne attacks, and outgoing Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire. Hours before the pause took effect, Moscow unleashed a barrage of drone attacks across Ukraine. Zelenskyy said earlier that a mother and child were killed in Kyiv. Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia. "We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance," he said in his nightly video address. Russia, he said, had made no response to the 30-day offer except for new strikes.

As of 9:00 am (06:00 GMT), the Ukrainian capital Kyiv was quiet, in contrast to 24 hours earlier when the city had reverberated with the sound of explosions from waves of Russian airborne attacks, and outgoing Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire. Hours before the pause took effect, Moscow unleashed a barrage of drone attacks across Ukraine. Zelenskyy said earlier that a mother and child were killed in Kyiv. Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia. “We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance,” he said in his nightly video address. Russia, he said, had made no response to the 30-day offer except for new strikes.

"This clearly and obviously demonstrates to everyone who the source of the war is," the Ukrainian president added. He also appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that have been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War Two commemorations approached. "It is absolutely fair that Russian skies, the skies of the aggressor, are also not calm today, in a mirror-like way," he said on Wednesday. Ukraine launched dozens of drones towards Russia earlier this week, forcing all four city airports in Moscow to close on Tuesday. State media reported the military had shot down 105 Ukrainian drones from Monday overnight.

“This clearly and obviously demonstrates to everyone who the source of the war is,” the Ukrainian president added. He also appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that have been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War Two commemorations approached. “It is absolutely fair that Russian skies, the skies of the aggressor, are also not calm today, in a mirror-like way,” he said on Wednesday. Ukraine launched dozens of drones towards Russia earlier this week, forcing all four city airports in Moscow to close on Tuesday. State media reported the military had shot down 105 Ukrainian drones from Monday overnight.

Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of the city, said that at least 19 drones were destroyed on their way to the capital as it prepares for Victory Day celebrations this week. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged the risk to foreign delegations traveling to Moscow in the midst of a major war. He warned on Saturday that his government could not guarantee the safety of parties traveling to Moscow to attend the parade. 'Our position is very simple for all countries traveling to Russia on May 9: We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation,' he said, adding that Russia could orchestrate provocations including 'arson, bombings and so on only to blame us'. In turn, the Kremlin was pressured to make assurances to some 20 world leaders attending its Victory Day parade on Friday.

Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of the city, said that at least 19 drones were destroyed on their way to the capital as it prepares for Victory Day celebrations this week. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged the risk to foreign delegations traveling to Moscow in the midst of a major war. He warned on Saturday that his government could not guarantee the safety of parties traveling to Moscow to attend the parade. ‘Our position is very simple for all countries traveling to Russia on May 9: We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation,’ he said, adding that Russia could orchestrate provocations including ‘arson, bombings and so on only to blame us’. In turn, the Kremlin was pressured to make assurances to some 20 world leaders attending its Victory Day parade on Friday.

'Our military and special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, stable and peaceful atmosphere,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He also said authorities had jammed internet connections ahead of the parade, citing the threat from Ukraine. 'As long as guests are here, until May 10, we need to be ready for restrictions,' he added. Russia's Nizhny Novgorod airport in the west was closed for about one-and-a-half hours early Thursday 'to ensure flight safety of civil aircraft', according to a Federal Air Transport Agency spokesperson. World leaders including China 's Xi Jinping , Brazil 's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic were all heading to Moscow to mark the occasion.

‘Our military and special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, stable and peaceful atmosphere,’ said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He also said authorities had jammed internet connections ahead of the parade, citing the threat from Ukraine. ‘As long as guests are here, until May 10, we need to be ready for restrictions,’ he added. Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod airport in the west was closed for about one-and-a-half hours early Thursday ‘to ensure flight safety of civil aircraft’, according to a Federal Air Transport Agency spokesperson. World leaders including China ‘s Xi Jinping , Brazil ‘s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic were all heading to Moscow to mark the occasion.

The Kremlin has said Russian forces will honor Putin's order for the duration of the holiday period, but will respond 'immediately' if attacked. Putin announced the truce last month, calling it a 'humanitarian' gesture, after pressure from the United States to halt Russia's assault on Ukraine. The Russian president also rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire in March. Ukraine has said it does not believe Russia will adhere to the truce and accused Moscow of hundreds of violations during a previous, 30-hour ceasefire Putin ordered for Easter. The White House has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress towards a peace deal between the warring sides, despite Trump's efforts.

The Kremlin has said Russian forces will honor Putin’s order for the duration of the holiday period, but will respond ‘immediately’ if attacked. Putin announced the truce last month, calling it a ‘humanitarian’ gesture, after pressure from the United States to halt Russia’s assault on Ukraine. The Russian president also rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire in March. Ukraine has said it does not believe Russia will adhere to the truce and accused Moscow of hundreds of violations during a previous, 30-hour ceasefire Putin ordered for Easter. The White House has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress towards a peace deal between the warring sides, despite Trump’s efforts.

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on the two to enter direct talks. Russians from outside Moscow visiting the heavily policed capital on Wednesday ahead of the parade appeared unfazed. 'We are from Rostov-on-Don. Nothing scares us,' said 22-year-old student Valeria Pavlova. The southern city serves as a command and logistics hub for the Ukraine offensive and has regularly been targeted. 'It's much calmer here,' she added. But scenes at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities were more chaotic on Wednesday. Ukraine launched a barrage of drones at Russia earlier in the day, forcing airports to halt traffic. Around 60,000 people's flights were disrupted, according to Moscow. Kyiv's drone attacks disrupted about 350 flights Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia's Association of Tour Operators said. Social media videos showed people sleeping on the floor and airports with rows of over a dozen planes queuing on the tarmac. 'It will be a parade of cynicism,' Zelenskyy said on Thursday. 'There is just no other way to describe it. A parade of bile and lies.'

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on the two to enter direct talks. Russians from outside Moscow visiting the heavily policed capital on Wednesday ahead of the parade appeared unfazed. ‘We are from Rostov-on-Don. Nothing scares us,’ said 22-year-old student Valeria Pavlova. The southern city serves as a command and logistics hub for the Ukraine offensive and has regularly been targeted. ‘It’s much calmer here,’ she added. But scenes at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities were more chaotic on Wednesday. Ukraine launched a barrage of drones at Russia earlier in the day, forcing airports to halt traffic. Around 60,000 people’s flights were disrupted, according to Moscow. Kyiv’s drone attacks disrupted about 350 flights Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia’s Association of Tour Operators said. Social media videos showed people sleeping on the floor and airports with rows of over a dozen planes queuing on the tarmac. ‘It will be a parade of cynicism,’ Zelenskyy said on Thursday. ‘There is just no other way to describe it. A parade of bile and lies.’

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