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Ukraine claims Russia has broken its own cease-fire more than 734 times since it took effect Thursday, slamming it as nothing more than a “farce” to allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to enjoy a three-day holiday.
Kyiv recorded hundreds of attacks from Russia over the border as of noon, local time, with an additional 63 ground operations taking place and another 176 drone strikes, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
“Predictably, Putin’s ‘Parade ceasefire’ proves to be a farce,” Sybiha said in a statement.
“We are responding appropriately to all attacks and sharing all relevant information about Russia’s ceasefire violations with the United States, the EU and European partners, all other states, and international organizations,” he added.
“We will not let Putin fool anyone when he does not even keep his own word.”
Putin had called for a 72-hour cease-fire to begin after midnight Thursday so as to allow Moscow to celebrate its Victory Day holiday, commemorating the Soviet Union’s win over Nazi Germany.
Despite Putin propping up the cease-fire for more than a week, Russian bombs and drones were still fired over the border on Thursday, with one strike killing a 55-year-old mother in Sumy, regional officials said.
The Kremlin maintains that all of its troops were adhering to the cease-fire laid out by Putin, but Moscow claimed their soldiers would “mirror” any attacks from Ukraine.
Kyiv launched dozens more drones on Wednesday in a second wave of aerial assaults on Moscow, forcing all airports in the region to temporarily suspend flights ahead of Putin’s parade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who slammed Putin’s cease-fire as a “theatrical performance,” said his nation will continue to defend itself against Russia’s invasion forces while still pushing for Moscow to accept a US-backed 30 day cease-fire deal.
“Ukraine’s proposal for a ceasefire of at least 30 days still stands, we are not withdrawing it, as it offers a real chance for diplomacy,” Zelensky said.
The fighting along the frontlines carried on as Putin welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Moscow on Thursday to sign a strategic partnership agreement.
Xi is set to attend Putin’s Victory Day parade as the Kremlin seeks to strengthen its relationship with China after Ukraine and the US signed the long-awaited minerals deal last week.
— With Post wires
English (US)