Three-day truce with Ukraine takes effect

Ceasefire to mark Victory Day parade

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's order for a three-day truce with Ukraine took effect yesterday, a move the Kremlin said would test Kyiv's readiness for peace but that Ukraine has slammed as a farce.

It was not clear whether either side was observing the ceasefire, even with world leaders — including Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic — in Moscow for commemorations of the end of World War II.

It appeared relatively quiet overnight, though Ukraine’s military said early yesterday that Russian forces had launched air strikes in the eastern Sumy region. Kyiv did not report any damage or casualties.

Mr Putin unilaterally ordered the temporary truce to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day parade today.

Ukraine never agreed to the proposal, has dismissed it as theatrics and called instead for a 30-day ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump has sought to end Moscow’s three-year military assault on Ukraine since his inauguration in January, but has failed to ease hostilities between the enemies.

Hours before Mr Putin's order was scheduled to enter force, Moscow and Kyiv staged aerial attacks, prompting airport closures in Russia and leaving at least two dead in Ukraine.