The Ukrainian military has violated the Victory Day ceasefire on 8,970 occasions since it took effect at midnight on Friday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Moscow stated earlier that it had ordered all Russian forces along the Ukraine front line to halt combat operations and remain at their positions during the ceasefire period.
Moscow says Russian forces are observing the truce
In a statement released Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian troops were continuing to abide by the ceasefire order.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces had nevertheless continued carrying out:
- Drone strikes
- Artillery attacks
- Mortar fire
- Tank attacks
- Cross-border strikes into Russian regions
The ministry stated that attacks had targeted Russian positions as well as multiple Russian regions including:
- Crimea
- Bryansk Region
- Belgorod Region
- Kursk Region
- Moscow Region
Nearly 9,000 ceasefire violations reported
According to the Russian MOD, the total number of alleged Ukrainian ceasefire violations reached 8,970 incidents.
The ministry said those included:
- 1,173 artillery, MLRS, mortar and tank attacks
- 7,151 drone strikes
- 12 separate attacks on Russian military positions
“Ukrainian forces have carried out twelve attacks on Russian positions,” the statement said.
Russia stated its military had responded with retaliatory strikes against:
- Ukrainian firing positions
- Command centers
- UAV launch locations
Victory Day ceasefire announced earlier this week
Earlier this week, Moscow announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-9 to mark the 81st anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.
The ceasefire coincided with large Victory Day commemorations held in Moscow and across Russia.
Trump proposed three-day ceasefire extension
On Friday, US President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that he had directly asked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky to extend the ceasefire through May 11.
Trump said both sides had agreed to:
- A three-day ceasefire period
- A 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War,” Trump wrote.
He also expressed hope for a “big extension” of the truce.
Putin aide Yury Ushakov later confirmed Moscow had agreed to extend the ceasefire period mentioned by Trump, along with the proposed prisoner swap.
Source: RT