Russia violated its own truce 734 times: Sybiha

Russia and Ukraine both reported attacks on their forces on Thursday on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian lawmakers unanimously approved a landmark minerals deal with the US.

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of violating its own ceasefire 734 times between midnight and midday on Thursday. He called the ceasefire a “farce” on the social media platform X.

The unilateral ceasefire coincides with Russia's biggest secular holiday, the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Kyiv has pressed for a longer-term ceasefire.

Meanwhile at the Kremlin, Putin welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom Putin earlier described as Russia's “main guest” at Friday's Victory Day festivities. Xi arrived on Wednesday for a four-day visit.