UKRAINE has accused Vladimir Putin of breaking his own ceasefire just hours after the three-day truce officially started.

Kyiv say they have faced bombing on the frontlines since Russia’s self-imposed peace deadline kicked off ahead of their Victory Day celebrations.

A firefighter extinguishing a fire at a damaged building.
A rescue worker puts out a fire near to a crumbling building which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike in Sumy region
Credit: AP

Bomb damage to a building in Donetsk, Ukraine.
Russia hit Ukraine’s Donetsk region just hours before Putin’s ceasefire
Credit: East2West

Building engulfed in flames at night.
Ukraine hit Moscow in drone strikes earlier in the week before the ceasefire came into effect
Credit: East2West
A military spokesperson said Russian troops are attacking in the east as Viktor Trehubov said Russia has waged military assaults in several areas after midnight.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Kyiv’s air force also accused Moscow of launching guided bombs on its northern region of Sumy.

They claimed three separate bomb blasts had been reported with the first hitting at at 02:39am local time.

The devastating weapons were dropped on residential areas near the border, the regional prosecutor’s office said.

Immediate reports said at least one person was killed and two injured in the bombings.

In total, Ukraine accused Russia of an astonishing 734 violations of its own ceasefire.

Putin decided to impose his own three-day truce to coincide with Russia‘s Victory Day parade which takes place on Friday.

Ukraine swiftly rejected the offer and described it as typical Kremlin theatrics as they continue to play for time in the gruelling conflict.
Brit hero, 40, killed in Ukraine by Russian mines after spending years working to save lives by clearing Putin’s bombs
But within minutes of the truce beginning, Kyiv claimed they were forced to defend several villages from incoming assaults.

Putin critics also believe he has only made up the plan to protect world leaders who are attending the VE celebrations – including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Volodymyr Zelensky suggested Ukraine will blitz Russia’s showpiece parade through Moscow on May 9.

The heroic leader said the Kremlin is “worried” about the event being targeted by long range missile or drone strikes which decimate the Red Square.

Zelensky says he is refusing to allow his enemy to celebrate with the prospect of Putin resuming his killing spree after hosting the celebrations.

It comes as Russia has continued to launch attacks in recent days.

Deadly strikes on Ukraine’s Sumy region killed three, and injured seven, amid intense border battles this week.

One Russian drone – seen on video – hit a children’s playground and sent in up in a blaze of smoke.

Debris of a fire-damaged building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
Russian drone strikes in Zaporizhzhia left dozens of homes in ruins
Credit: Getty

Man speaking outdoors, "A parade of bile and lies."
Volodymyr Zelensky blasted Russia’s VE parade today
Credit: X

Illustration of a possible post-war map of Ukraine, showing territorial divisions and troop deployments.
Russia also set fire to Barabashovo market, one of the largest in Europe, in a series of strikes.

Footage showed the market ablaze with at least four civilians wounded.

But Ukraine hit back with a huge drone strike which forced Russia to shut all four of its major airports in a dramatic show of force against Moscow.

All four major Moscow airports – Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky – were closed as the drones targeted the capital, with multiple diversions of incoming aircraft.

At least nine other airports were also disrupted.

Russian tourists complained about being trapped in a Nesma Airlines  plane from Egyptian resort Hurghada to Moscow for ten hours after it was diverted to St Petersburg due to the drone strikes amid air chaos.

Central to the celebrations is a major military parade in Moscow’s Red Square, during which Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will give a speech.

However, the date differs in many other European countries, who mark VE Day on May 8 – the day on which Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender was accepted.

Putin’s vast military parade on Red Square is seen as one of his favourite celebrations.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the fall of Adolf Hitler – meaning the Kremlin wants to celebrate in style.

Dozens of tanks and armoured trucks will be wheeled out across the Russian capital.

The actual event will also see more than 10,000 Russians troops taking part as well as soldiers from North Korea.

Among those scheduled to attend are Chinese president Xi Jinping and the leaders of ex-Soviet states including Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko.

Russia has announced its plans for a three day ceasefire between May 8 to May 11, which coincides with the celebrations.

However, Ukraine has been quick to point out that Russia has repeatedly failed to honour previous proposed ceasefires.

Large fire engulfing several buildings.
Firefighters work at the site of a market in Kharkiv hit by a Russian drone strike
Credit: Reuters

Nighttime view of a city with a large fire in the distance.
Ukraine caused airports in Moscow to shut down this week following overnight attacks
Credit: East2West