Russia Violates Ceasefire as Attacks Hit Sumy; Zelenskyy Holds Firm on 30-Day Truce Offer against Moscow
Ukraine is accusing Russia of shattering its own self-declared three-day truce just hours after it was enacted. The accusations come as Russia's aircraft launched guided bombs on the Sumy region of northern Ukraine after midnight local time on the third day, when Vladimir Putin announced his truce.
A Ukrainian military spokesman, speaking with Reuters, reported that a 55-year-old woman was killed during the attacks on Sumy, as fires broke out in three residential buildings. The spokesman declared Putin's "Parade ceasefire" a joke, alluding to the planned May 9 parade on Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, criticized Putin's truce, emphasizing that Russian forces continue to attack across the entire frontline. According to Sybiha, in the 12 hours following the truce initiation, Russia committed 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations, 23 of which were still ongoing.
The Russian Defence Ministry, as reported by Interfax, countered that it was Ukraine that was launching attacks on Russian targets and attempting to break through the border in the Kursk region. The Kremlin maintained that its forces would adhere to Putin's order for the duration of the holiday but would retaliate swiftly if Ukraine launched any attacks.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Ukraine's air force reported repeated attacks from Russia on the Sumy region. There were no reports of long-range drones or missiles being launched on Ukrainian cities after the ceasefire started. However, Ukraine declared an air alert in its seven eastern regions, due to the risk of Russian ballistic missile strikes, according to the air force.
In his nightly video address, Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asserted that his country's 30-day ceasefire offer still stood, despite Russia's lack of response except for more attacks. The United States had proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March, but Moscow argued that the measure could only be implemented once mechanisms to enforce and uphold it are established.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders in Moscow for the anniversary events, where Putin will review a military parade on Moscow's Red Square on May 9. Putin's truce was intended to pause hostilities during the World War II commemoration, but has been met with skepticism by Ukraine, who considers it a ploy.
Delegations from countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, among others, have been invited to attend the anniversary events. In a symbolic gesture, Ukraine also invited a delegation led by former President Petro Poroshenko, who is a main opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
This situation mirrors a similar event in 2025, where Russia unilaterally declared a ceasefire in an attempt to improve its image and pressure Ukraine into concessions. However, both sides accused each other of violating the truce, and the perceived strategic gain, political messaging, and control were important factors in the ongoing conflict.
- Despite Russia's announcement of a truce, continuous attacks across the Ukrainian frontline have been noted, causing diplomatic tension and escalating war-and-conflicts discussions in general-news.
- The United States' proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in March has yet to be respected by Russia, with Ukraine considering Putin's truce as a political ploy during the commemoration of World War II, adding to the ongoing war-and-conflicts narrative.
- As Putin hosts international leaders for anniversary events in Moscow, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains a focus of war-and-conflicts news, highlighting the complex and strategic nature of politics involved in the situation.
