Russian MOD Claims Ukraine Violated Victory Day Ceasefire Over 16,000 Times

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces violated the Victory Day ceasefire more than 16,000 times since its implementation on Friday. According to the ministry, these violations included 6,331 drone attacks and 676 artillery strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Crimea, Belgorod, Kursk, Kaluga, Rostov, and Krasnodar regions. In Belgorod alone, five civilians were injured. Moscow stated that its troops responded symmetrically by targeting firing positions and command centers while maintaining their current lines. The truce, originally set to expire on Sunday marking the 81st anniversary of World War II's end, was extended for two days following a proposal by US President Donald Trump. This follows a similar pattern where Russia declared temporary truces during holidays, such as Easter, which it also claimed were heavily violated by Kiev. Tensions remained high as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of retaliatory strikes on Kiev if Victory Day events in Moscow were disrupted, a warning he credited for influencing Trump's ceasefire initiative. Putin further commented that the conflict is nearing its end despite Western proxy efforts.