Ukraine and Russia reported attacks on their troops on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This came after the Ukrainian parliament unanimously approved a major agreement with the United States on the supply of minerals.
Ratification represents a key milestone in the deal, which would give Washington access to Ukraine's largely untapped minerals, deepen strategic ties and create a joint investment fund with the U.S. to rebuild Ukraine.
The agreement was approved by 338 votes, Ukrainian politician Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on his Telegram channel. Not a single deputy spoke against or abstained.
“This document is not just a legal formality, but the basis for a new model of interaction with an important strategic partner,” noted Ukrainian Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko in X.
Meanwhile, Russian bombs rained down on northeastern Ukraine in the first hours of the ceasefire, killing at least one civilian, Ukrainian officials said.
Artillery shelling continued along the entire 620-mile front line, officials said, although at a lower intensity than in the previous 24 hours.
The truce coincided with Russia's biggest secular holiday, the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Kyiv is pushing for a longer ceasefire.
On Thursday, Mr Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Kremlin.
Mr Xi, whom Putin earlier described as “our main guest” at Victory Day celebrations on Friday, arrived in Russia on Wednesday for a four-day visit.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga accused Russia of violating its own ceasefire 734 times between midnight and midday on Thursday. He called the ceasefire a “farce” on social media platform X.
Russia had carried out 63 offensive operations along the front line, 23 of which were still ongoing as of midday, he said.
Ukraine is “reacting adequately” and actively exchanging information about the attacks with the United States, the European Union and other countries.
“We will not allow Putin to deceive anyone, even if he does not keep his word,” Mr. Sibikha said.
Russian attacks also took place Thursday morning near Chasovy Yar in the Donetsk region, Oleh Petrasyuk, a spokesman for Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade, told The Associated Press.
One person was killed and two were injured when Russian troops dropped guided bombs on residential areas near
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
