MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Friday of violating ceasefires that each has separately declared, as Moscow prepares to hold its annual World War Two victory parade under tight security.
Four years since the 2022 Russian military operation in Ukraine, the two sides are still pummelling each other with missiles, drones and artillery, with no end to the war in sight.
President Vladimir Putin has unilaterally declared a two-day ceasefire on Friday and Saturday to cover the celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany – Russia’s most revered national holiday.
Kyiv responded that a ceasefire just for the holiday was inappropriate and called instead for an indefinite truce to begin two days earlier, which Moscow ignored.
The Russian Defence Ministry said 264 Ukrainian drones had been downed in the early hours of Friday, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the capital had been targeted and officials said the Urals region of Perm had been attacked with drones.
Ukraine said it had struck a Russian oil refinery in Perm for the second day running, and hit another oil facility in the city of Yaroslavl.
Russia has warned that any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt the Victory Day military parade on Red Square on Saturday would lead to a massive missile strike on Kyiv. Moscow has told foreign diplomats that if Ukraine does attack the event, they should evacuate the Ukrainian capital.
