Russia has resumed its "special military operation" in Ukraine following the expiry of a three-day ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday, 13 May 2025. The ministry accused Kyiv of committing 30,383 ceasefire violations during the pause in fighting, a claim Ukraine has not independently verified.

End of the Ceasefire

The ceasefire, which ran from midnight on 8 May to 24:00 on 11 May, was declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to coincide with celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War II — known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that all Russian troop groups strictly observed the pause and remained at their previously occupied positions throughout the period.

Russia's Allegations Against Ukraine

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Ukraine carried out 859 attacks on Russian positions using rocket launchers, artillery, and mortars during the ceasefire window, and conducted a further 5,825 drone attacks. The ministry added that Russian armed forces responded to these actions by firing back at rocket launchers, artillery, and mortar positions, including unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch sites. These figures are sourced exclusively from the Russian side and have not been independently corroborated.

Kremlin Signals Peace Process Progress

Despite the resumption of hostilities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered a cautiously optimistic note at a briefing on Tuesday. He stated that significant groundwork had already been laid toward a settlement, though he stopped short of offering any specific timelines or targets. "The wealth of work in the peace process allows us to say that completion is indeed near," Peskov said. "But in this context, it's impossible to talk about specifics at this point." The remarks come amid ongoing international diplomatic efforts to broker a durable end to the conflict, which has now stretched into its third year.

Background and Context

The ceasefire was first announced by the Russian Ministry of Defence on 7 May, framed as a humanitarian gesture tied to the Victory Day commemorations. This is not the first time a short-term ceasefire in the conflict has collapsed amid mutual accusations — previous pauses have similarly ended with both sides blaming the other for violations. Notably, the ceasefire's original stated end date of 10 May was reportedly extended to 11 May, though the extension was not widely acknowledged by either side in official communications. The resumption of operations deepens uncertainty over whether the diplomatic signals from Moscow will translate into any concrete movement toward negotiations.

What Comes Next

With the special military operation back in full swing, international observers and mediating nations will be watching closely to see whether the Kremlin's peace signals are backed by any verifiable steps. The next major diplomatic checkpoint remains unclear, with Peskov declining to specify dates or formats for any prospective talks.