A three-day ceasefire ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially begun, but the truce is already under scrutiny, with Ukraine calling it a “farce” and global observers expressing skepticism over its sincerity.
The temporary truce was timed to coincide with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, a major political and military event attended by leaders from countries including China, Brazil, and Serbia. While Russia framed the move as a “humanitarian gesture,” Ukraine rejected the unilateral proposal and instead urged a broader, 30-day ceasefire to allow real diplomatic progress.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s call in his Wednesday night address, stating, “We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance. But the world is not seeing any response from Russia.”
Despite the announcement of the truce, there were continued reports of hostilities. Ukrainian officials said Russian airstrikes targeted the eastern Sumy region early Thursday. In the lead-up to the ceasefire, both sides launched aerial assaults, and drone strikes forced flight cancellations and airport closures in Russia.
Two people were reportedly killed in Ukraine by Russian missile and drone attacks on Wednesday, including a mother and her child, according to Kyiv officials. Russia claimed its forces would observe the ceasefire unless provoked.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who has tried to broker peace since taking office in January, has so far failed to make headway. Vice President JD Vance urged both sides to engage in direct talks amid growing frustration in Washington over stalled peace efforts.
In Russia, the Victory Day parade went forward under tight security, with over 20 world leaders attending. Internet access was restricted as a precaution, and military forces were on high alert.
Though Moscow was relatively calm, drone strikes caused disruptions across major cities. Some 60,000 passengers faced delays, with hundreds of flights affected by drone-related shutdowns at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and elsewhere. Social media footage showed chaotic airport scenes, with travelers sleeping on the floors.
Despite the calm in parts of Russia, Ukraine remains under severe pressure, with Russia occupying roughly 20% of its territory and continuing to launch attacks on civilian areas this spring.
Whether Putin’s ceasefire is a genuine gesture or a tactical pause remains to be seen — but with neither side fully committed and mutual distrust at its peak, the path to lasting peace still appears distant.