Despite Moscow’s proclaimed three-day truce for May 9 celebrations, Kyiv reports hundreds of violations and calls on Western allies for support.
A three-day ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to coincide with Moscow’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations quickly unraveled on Thursday, as Ukrainian officials denounced the truce as a “farce” and reported hundreds of ceasefire violations within mere hours of its start.
“Predictably, Putin’s ‘Parade ceasefire’ proves to be a farce,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X, as Ukrainian forces reported 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations by Russia from midnight to midday. “Russian forces continue to attack across the entire frontline,” Sybiha added, underscoring Kyiv’s skepticism of Moscow’s overtures.
Moscow, meanwhile, accused Kyiv of carrying out nearly 500 attacks against Russian positions and attempting to break through the border in the Kursk region, according to the Russian defense ministry cited by Interfax. Neither side provided immediate responses to the other’s battlefield claims, which remained unverified by independent sources.
Despite the grim reports, there was a notable lull in drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, offering a brief respite after a week of heightened attacks. Still, violence persisted. Ukraine’s military said Russian forces had launched one missile strike and 15 airstrikes by late Thursday, with casualties reported in Zaporizhzhia after a Russian drone strike hit a car, killing a passenger.
The Ukrainian government has not committed to respecting Russia’s unilateral ceasefire, which it views as a public relations ploy by Putin aimed at projecting a desire for peace ahead of Moscow’s military parade. The truce marks the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II, a date celebrated on May 9 in Russia but marked on May 8 by Ukraine and most Western countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commemorated the day by walking alone through Kyiv’s central square, paying respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Filming himself on a rare selfie video, Zelensky called Moscow’s upcoming military parade a “parade of cynicism,” mocking the Kremlin’s portrayal of the war effort. “You simply cannot call it anything else,” he said. “A parade of bile and lies.”
This week, Ukraine launched successive drone attacks on Moscow, temporarily grounding flights and closing airports. Russia’s aviation authority confirmed Thursday that airline operations had returned to normal.
In diplomatic outreach, Zelensky said he told former U.S. President Donald Trump that a meaningful 30-day ceasefire would be a “real indicator” of Russia’s commitment to peace, emphasizing Kyiv’s readiness to implement such a truce. Zelensky also spoke with Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, securing continued European support.
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