Kyiv now considers itself no longer bound by the unilateral ceasefire announced by Moscow ahead of the military parade for Victory Day in Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, accusing Russia of being the first to violate the truce.
“We can confirm that the Russian side derailed the ceasefire regime,” Zelensky said in a statement on Wednesday morning, adding that Ukraine would decide later in the day on its next steps.
Earlier this week, both Russia and Ukraine had announced competing ceasefire proposals, while warning they would respond to any violations.
Initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday to allow this year’s parade marking victory in World War II to take place in Moscow. The event is a key symbolic occasion for the Kremlin. However, unlike previous years when heavy weaponry and military equipment were showcased, this year’s parade is expected to mainly feature infantry units.
Moscow warned of a “devastating response” in the event of a Ukrainian attack during the parade. “If the Kyiv regime attempts to carry out its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will launch a massive retaliatory missile strike at the center of Kyiv,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.
In response, Zelensky argued that the Kremlin fears potential disruption of the parade by Ukrainian drones, adding that Moscow did not formally request a ceasefire agreement from Kyiv. The Ukrainian president countered with his own ceasefire proposal for Tuesday and Wednesday, urging Russia to observe it if it wanted the ceremony in Moscow to proceed safely.
“Ukraine made it clear it would act accordingly, taking into account Russia’s ongoing calls through the media and social networks for a ceasefire during the Moscow parade,” Zelensky said Wednesday, adding that “the daily killing of people” is incompatible with public celebrations like the Russian parade.
The Ukrainian president accused Russia of 1,820 ceasefire violations, which he said included shelling, ground assaults, and airstrikes.
For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that multiple strikes against Ukrainian targets were carried out on Tuesday, while also accusing Ukrainian forces of hitting targets inside Russia and in occupied Crimea.
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