Ukrainian Cities Fall Silent as Kremlin-Backed Ceasefire Begins

• No reports of drone or missile strikes on major Ukrainian cities.
• Ukraine claims that Russia bombed the northern Sumy region.
• Moscow hosts China’s Xi Jinping for the World War II anniversary.

A three-day ceasefire announced by Russia took effect early Thursday morning, marking a quiet spell over Ukraine’s major cities after a series of intense attacks by Russian drones and ballistic missiles.

Following the initiation of this Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian aircraft carried out two separate bombings in the northern Sumy region. Unfortunately, there are no updates regarding the extent of the damage, and Reuters could not verify these claims independently.

This ceasefire aligns with the 80th anniversary celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II, commencing at midnight Moscow time.

As part of the anniversary events, Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and other dignitaries in Moscow, where he will oversee a military parade in Red Square on May 9th.

Ukraine has not agreed to observe the Kremlin’s ceasefire, describing it as a ploy by Putin to project a desire for peace amid a conflict that escalated with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin claims he is committed to achieving peace.

This week, Ukraine has launched several drone attacks on Moscow, leading to airport closures in the Russian capital and affecting flight schedules.

Besides the Ukrainian military’s reports of the two bombings, there were no accounts from Ukraine of long-range drone or missile attacks on its cities early Thursday morning.

At 3:45 AM, the capital city of Kyiv remained quiet, a stark contrast to the previous day when the air was filled with the din of explosions from Russian aerial assaults and Ukrainian anti-aircraft responses.

It is still unclear whether fighting has ceased along the frontlines where Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged. A witness near the frontline in eastern Ukraine noted that there were no sounds of combat early Thursday.

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated the offer for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. “We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could create opportunities for diplomacy,” he stated in a video address that evening.

He added that Russia had not acknowledged the 30-day ceasefire proposal and continued to conduct strikes. “This clearly indicates the true source of the conflict,” the Ukrainian president asserted.

Zelensky also acknowledged the series of drone strikes targeting various sites in Russia, including Moscow, as commemorations for World War II draw near. “It’s only fair that the skies above Russia, the aggressor, are also experiencing turbulence today,” he remarked.

Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported on Telegram that 14 drones targeting the capital had been intercepted or destroyed prior to the beginning of the three-day ceasefire.

The United States had proposed a 30-day ceasefire in March, which Ukraine accepted. However, Russia stated that any such measure could only proceed once mechanisms to enforce and maintain it are established.

Both countries are facing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to swiftly conclude the conflict, which has become the largest crisis in Europe since World War II.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, expressed astonishment at U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg’s comments implying that Putin might be hindering a comprehensive ceasefire. “The only hindrance to peace is Kyiv, which disregards agreements and is not open to serious discussions regarding a long-term ceasefire,” Zakharova stated.