Russia attacks Ukraine during ceasefire

In the Kremlin, the Russian President is now receiving his international counterparts. One of the first to be received is the Brazilian President. Accompanied by his wife, Lula da Silva exchanged warm hugs and smiles with Putin.

Next came Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, with whom Vladimir Putin exchanged a few brief words. Immediately afterwards, he received Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela. So far, the hugs have been reserved for Lula da Silva.

As international leaders continue to arrive at the Kremlin, preparations are being finalized for the military parade on Red Square, which is scheduled to begin at 10 am local time (8 am in Lisbon), writes Russian state agency RIA Novosti.

At the Moscow square, guests are greeted with a welcome kit, as shown by a TASS journalist on site. The kit includes binoculars, a hat and pins reminiscent of military uniforms, a book with a poem praising the Russian homeland written in 1921, and a board game called “Assault on Berlin,” which the news agency describes as “a military history game.”

Around 30 world leaders, including the presidents of China and Brazil, are expected in Moscow on Friday for the celebrations of Victory Day, which marks the victory of the Allied forces over the Nazis in the Second World War, writes Sky News .

In addition to Xi Jinping and Lula da Silva, the presidents of Bosnia, Cuba, Egypt, Myanmar, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe — countries allied with Russia — are also expected to be present in the Russian capital.

As for European Union countries, only the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, is expected to be present.

Since 2008, the Russian president has organized a military parade on Red Square to mark the occasion. Victory Day also serves as a demonstration of Russia's military strength — of the country's troops and military equipment.

Ukraine accuses Russia of having attacked at least eight villages on the front line in the Zaporizhia region (partly controlled by Russian forces) around 220 times during the last 24 hours of the ceasefire decreed by Vladimir Putin.

The information was provided by the governor of that Ukrainian region, Ivan Fedorov, quoted by Sky News . At least 150 drones were launched against the villages and another 70 artillery strikes were carried out.

Since the ceasefire began in the early hours of Wednesday, Ukraine and Russia have been accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.

Good morning.

We open this liveblog to follow the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.

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Trump calls for '30-day unconditional ceasefire' between Russia and Ukraine