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Putin's Ukraine Ceasefire Begins, But Skepticism And Doubt Persist.
Photo: Staff Photographer

PUTIN'S UKRAINE CEASEFIRE BEGINS, BUT SKEPTICISM AND DOUBT PERSIST.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's three-day truce with Ukraine began on Thursday, a move the Kremlin framed as a test of Kyiv's willingness to seek peace, although Ukraine has dismissed it as a sham.

 

It remains unclear whether either side is adhering to the ceasefire, even as world leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic, gathered in Moscow to mark the end of World War II.

 

While there was relative quiet overnight, Ukraine's military reported that Russian forces launched airstrikes in the eastern Sumy region early Thursday. Kyiv did not report any casualties or damage. Putin’s unilateral truce coincides with Moscow's Victory Day parade on Friday.

 

Ukraine never agreed to Putin’s proposed truce, dismissing it as mere theatrics and instead calling for a 30-day ceasefire. Since his inauguration in January, US President Donald Trump has attempted to end Moscow’s three-year military assault on Ukraine but has been unsuccessful in easing the conflict between the two nations.

 

Just hours before the truce was set to begin, both Moscow and Kyiv launched aerial attacks, leading to airport closures in Russia and resulting in at least two fatalities in Ukraine. Russia's Nizhny Novgorod airport in the west was closed for about one-and-a-half hours early Thursday "to ensure the flight safety of civil aircraft," according to a spokesperson from the Federal Air Transport Agency.

 

The Kremlin has stated that Russian forces will adhere to Putin’s ceasefire order throughout the holiday period but will retaliate "immediately" if provoked.

In his evening address on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his call for a 30-day ceasefire. “We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance. But the world is not seeing any response from Russia,” he said.

 

Putin announced the truce last month, describing it as a "humanitarian" gesture following pressure from the United States to end Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

However, Putin rejected a joint proposal from the US and Ukraine for an unconditional ceasefire in March. 

 

Ukraine has expressed doubt that Russia will adhere to the truce, accusing Moscow of committing hundreds of violations during a previous 30-hour ceasefire ordered by Putin for Easter. Russia, which initiated a full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in 2022, launched over 100 drones and multiple ballistic missiles at Ukraine between late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of a mother and her son, according to Kyiv.

 

The White House has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress toward a peace agreement, despite President Trump’s efforts. On Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance called for direct talks between the two sides.

Russia celebrated Victory Day with a grand parade featuring military equipment on Red Square, accompanied by an address from President Putin. Over 20 world leaders were expected to attend the May 9 parade in Moscow.

 

Our military and special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, stable and peaceful atmosphere,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

He also said authorities had jammed internet connections ahead of the parade, citing the threat from Ukraine.

“As long as guests are here, until May 10, we need to be ready for restrictions,” he further said.

 

Russian forces currently occupy one-fifth of Ukraine and, this spring, have launched a series of deadly attacks on civilian areas across the country. Russians from outside Moscow, visiting the heavily policed capital ahead of the parade on Wednesday, seemed unfazed by the heightened security.

 

“We are from Rostov-on-Don. Nothing scares us,” said 22-year-old student Valeria Pavlova.

The southern city functions as a key command and logistics center for Russia's offensive in Ukraine and has frequently come under attack.

“It’s much calmer here,” she added.

 

Scenes at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other Russian cities turned chaotic on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Ukraine launched a wave of drone strikes on Russian territory, prompting airport closures and halting air traffic. Moscow reported that around 60,000 travelers were affected by the disruptions.

 

According to Russia’s Association of Tour Operators, the drone attacks from Kyiv led to the disruption of approximately 350 flights over Tuesday and Wednesday. Videos circulating on social media showed stranded passengers sleeping on floors and airport tarmacs crowded with rows of grounded planes.

 

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s airspace has remained closed since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

 

"This represents a significant development in our ongoing coverage of current events."
— Editorial Board

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