Russia, Ukraine Accuse Each Other of Violating 3-Day Ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating a three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States.

The Russian Ministry of Defense alleged that the armed forces of Ukraine carried out 1,173 strikes against Russian troops during the ceasefire that was supposed to last from May 9 through May 11.

Moscow said that Ukrainian forces “delivered 7,151 strikes using unmanned aerial vehicles” in about a dozen Russian positions.

At least two people were hurt in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine’s Kherson region, which is located in the southern part of the country, according to Moscow-installed leader Vladimir Saldo.

“A total of 8,970 ceasefire violations were recorded in the special military operation zone,” the Russian Ministry of Defense alleged in a Telegram post on May 10.

Ukrainian officials accused Russia of conducting drone strikes and nearly ​150 battlefield clashes over ​the ⁠past 24 hours.

One person was killed and three others were injured by artillery and drone attacks, according to Ivan Fedorov, the head of Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not yet issued an official statement about the alleged ceasefire violations but did take a moment to honor mothers in his country for Mother’s Day.

“The realities of war have changed the lives of millions of Ukrainian families,” Zelenskyy wrote in an X post on May 10. “And today, Ukrainian mothers embody incredible resilience, courage, bravery, and the love that helps us endure.

“Thank you to every mother for the gift of life, for believing in your children, and for your prayers, protection, and support.”

The U.S.-brokered ceasefire, accompanied by a prisoner swap of 1,000 inmates from each country, was supposed to be in effect from May 9 to May 11, coinciding with Russian Victory Day celebrations. Victory Day, the country’s most important secular holiday, commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on Truth Social on May 8, saying that he made the request to pause attacks.

Trump also expressed hope that the war, which started in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, may end soon.

“Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on May 8.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated over the weekend that the years-long conflict may soon end.

“I think it’s coming to an end, but it’s still a serious matter,” Putin told reporters on May 9.

Reuters contributed to this report.