Ukraine Slams Russian Ceasefire as “Farce” Amid Continued Fighting
Russia’s three-day ceasefire, timed with its Victory Day parade, is drawing fire from Ukraine, which claims Moscow broke its own truce hours after it started. “Predictably, Putin’s ‘Parade ceasefire’ proves to be a farce,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, reporting 734 violations and ongoing assaults along the frontline. Ukraine’s air force said Russian bombs hit the Sumy region shortly after the ceasefire began, killing a woman and sparking fires in residential areas.
Russia insists it’s holding the line, accusing Ukraine of launching nearly 500 attacks and claiming its troops are only responding in a “mirror-like manner.” But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the ceasefire a “parade of cynicism,” accusing Moscow of using it as cover for propaganda rather than peace. Meanwhile, drone strikes have rocked both capitals in recent days, with Kyiv warning it can’t guarantee the safety of anyone attending Moscow’s parade.
While Moscow parades military might for the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat, Zelensky marked the day quietly with a walk through Kyiv, honoring fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine continues to push for a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., one Russia has so far refused. “This clearly and obviously demonstrates to everyone who the source of the war is,” Zelensky said in a video address.
