Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday that Russian troops launched 100 attack drones overnight, killing a child, and injured several people in a few hours after the Kremlin announced a three-day ceasefire starting from May 8.
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin ordered Ukrainian officials to quickly suspect the ceasefire, according to an announcement on Monday.
“There is no reason to wait until May 8,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly speech, “there is another manipulation” when the Trump administration prompted the war to end.
Mr Zelensky pointed out that Ukraine had agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire at the urging of the United States, but Russia did not reach it. He added that Russia has also not agreed to stop the crackdown on civilian targets.
“Russia has been rejecting everything and continues to manipulate the world in an attempt to deceive the United States,” Mr Zelensky said.
Mr Zelensky added: “Russia does want a ceasefire,” it must be immediate, fulfilling and unconditional – for at least 30 days to ensure its safety and assurance. “He also said: “The ceasefire is not just a few days, but just returning to kill later. ”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov made the proposal on Tuesday, saying Moscow would not agree to a longer ceasefire if, without having to slam more details.
“If you're talking about a long ceasefire, the details matter: it's hard to agree to such a long ceasefire without addressing these issues.”
His comments are because the Ukrainian Air Force said it shot down 37 drones and Russian troops launched overnight. Local authorities said that in the Kiev area, nine drones were knocked down, debris fell and caused damage and caught fire at the hotel.
In the Dnipro area, a drone attack killed a 12-year-old girl. A 6-year-old girl and two adults were also injured, according to local authorities.
The Kremlin's announcement of a temporary truce comes shortly after President Trump expressed frustration at Russia's continued bombing of Ukraine. Trump said after meeting with Mr. Zelensky over the weekend that he questioned whether Putin really wanted peace.
“Maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just poaching me and has to deal with it differently,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post.
Nataliya Vasilyeva Contribution report.
