Russia has commenced its three-day ceasefire, announced in honour of WW2 Victory Day, on Thursday - May 8. However, the Ukrainian air force has stated that as the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire began, Russian aircraft twice launched guided bombs in the Sumy region in Ukraine.
In an update on Telegram, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the Russian bombs in Sumy. However, no reports of casualties or damage followed. Apart from this statement from the air force, no reports of Russian bombs or strikes in Ukraine have been reported.
Ahead of the May 8 ceasefire, Russia reportedly shot down 12 Ukrainian drones in Moscow, as claimed by the capital's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Furthermore, the Zhukovsky airport in the Moscow region and the main airport in Kaluga – have been temporarily shut down.
Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will be observing a three-day ceasefire to commemorate victory day - which marks Nazi defeat in during the Second World War. While Putin urged Ukraine to implement the same, Kyiv has reportedly not committed to this truce.
Instead of committing to the three day truce, Ukraine called and backed its original 30-day ceasefire in fighting.
Russia Goes Big For Victory Day
Over the next three days, Russia will be marking the end of the Second World War and the Soviet Union's win against Nazi Germany.
On May 9, Moscow is set to hold its Victory Parade in Moscow's Red Square. Several world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to attend the ceremony in Russia.
As per the guest list issued by the Kremlin, apart from Xi Jinping, 28 leaders are expected to visit Moscow for the parade. Leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe, are expected to be present.
Furthermore, representatives from North Korea and Russian-controlled Abkhazia and South Ossetia will also be present.
