Russia, Ukraine trade blame for continued fighting as US-brokered ceasefire nears end
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was due to expire on Monday with both sides accusing each other of breaching the 72-hour arrangement, as American and European officials considered how they might steer the warring countries into further talks.
Ukrainian authorities said Monday that Russian drones, bombs and artillery shelling struck civilian areas of the northeastern Kharkiv and southern Kherson regions, killing at least two people and wounding seven others.
Russia’s Defense Ministry on Sunday accused Kyiv of committing more than 1,000 ceasefire violations, state media reported.
Similar ceasefires announced since Russia invaded its neighbor more than four years ago have also failed to stop the fighting, and U.S.-led diplomatic efforts over the past year have come to nothing.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said data from NASA observations indicated military activities decreased but did not stop after Trump announced last Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy had accepted his request for a ceasefire running Saturday through Monday. The move was meant to mark Victory Day, the Russian celebration marking the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Read more: ABC News