A fragile U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine faced immediate strain Sunday as both sides accused each other of launching attacks during the temporary truce.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed Ukrainian forces committed more than 1,000 violations, including shelling civilian areas and targeting Russian military positions. Moscow said its troops “responded in kind” after the alleged attacks.
In Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine’s Kherson region, Moscow-installed official Vladimir Saldo said two people were injured by Ukrainian shelling.
Ukrainian Officials Report Deadly Russian Strikes
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported continued Russian drone and artillery attacks across several regions.
In southeastern Zaporizhzhia, regional leader Ivan Fedorov said one person was killed and three others injured within 24 hours. In the Kherson region, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported seven injuries linked to Russian strikes.
Another Russian drone attack reportedly damaged a nine-story apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, injuring five people late Saturday, according to regional officials.
Despite the violence, Ukrainian officials stopped short of formally accusing Moscow of breaking the ceasefire agreement.
Trump Pushes Temporary Truce
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to pause fighting from Saturday through Monday during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Trump also said a prisoner exchange was expected and described the truce as a possible “beginning of the end” of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made sarcastic remarks about suspending strikes near Moscow’s Red Square during the military parade, comments the Kremlin dismissed as a “silly joke.”
Russia Holds Firm on Donbas Demands
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser Jared Kushner may visit Moscow soon for additional talks. However, Russia reiterated that Ukraine must withdraw troops from the eastern Donbas region before meaningful progress can be made in negotiations.
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