Russia, Ukraine trade fire, blame despite Victory Day ceasefire

Warring sides accuse each other of violations as attacks continue across front lines.Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of breaching a short ceasefire announced by Moscow to coincide with Victory Day commemorations marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany.The Kremlin said its forces downed 264 Ukrainian drones early on Friday, with officials in Moscow reporting attempted attacks on the capital and in the Perm region in the Ural Mountains.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Russia cuts mobile internet in Moscow citing drone security concernslist 2 of 3Russia tells diplomats to leave Kyiv in case Moscow launches mass strikeslist 3 of 3Gulf states urge UN action to ensure Strait of Hormuz safetyend of listThe truce, declared from May 8 to May 10, was intended to cover annual celebrations that include a military parade in Moscow.Russia had warned that any disruption would trigger a large-scale missile response against Kyiv, urging foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital before potential escalation.In a separate announcement, the Russian transport ministry said on Friday that 13 airports in Russia’s south halted operations due to drone attacks.“Operations at the regional centre in Rostov-on-Don, which manages air traffic in southern Russia, have been temporarily suspended after Ukrainian drone struck the administrative building of the ‘Southern Russia Air Navigation’ branch,” the ministry said.There were no casualties, it added.Victory Day commemorations mark the Soviet Union’s loss of 27 million people in World War II, as it drove Nazi forces back to Berlin, where Adolf Hitler died, and the Red Army’s Soviet Victory Banner was raised over the Reichstag in May 1945.‘We will defend our people’s lives’Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces continued to attack positions overnight, dismissing the ceasefire as ineffective.