Russia-Ukraine ceasefire collapses: Both sides trade violation claims
Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, 11 May accused each other of violating a declared three-day ceasefire that had been agreed to cover the Victory Day celebrations, with both sides reporting continued strikes and casualties despite the truce.
Russia's Violation Claims
The Russian Defence Ministry stated that Ukrainian forces committed 16,071 violations of the ceasefire regime in the past 24 hours alone, according to reports. On Saturday, the same ministry had reported 8,970 ceasefire violations across multiple regions — suggesting an escalating pattern of alleged breaches. Russian forces, the ministry said, responded with retaliatory strikes against multiple launch rocket systems, artillery, and mortar positions, as well as command posts and drone launch sites.
Ukraine's Account of Continued Attacks
Ukrainian authorities painted an equally grim picture, stating that at least one person was killed and 15 others were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine despite the ceasefire being in effect. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a formal statement that Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 60 times on Sunday alone. Kyiv's account directly contradicts Moscow's framing of the truce, with each side casting the other as the aggressor.
Background: The Victory Day Ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine had agreed on Friday to a three-day ceasefire running from Saturday to Monday, timed to coincide with Russia's Victory Day celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in World War II. The Russian Ministry of Defence had formally announced the truce, declaring a ceasefire from midnight on 8 May through 10 May. The ministry's statement read:
