Russia-Ukraine three-day ceasefire takes effect

The 72-hour ceasefire, proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, entered its implementation phase on Thursday.

According to RT, the Russian military halted operations in the early hours of Thursday, despite Ukrainian drone attacks in the hours leading up to the ceasefire.

The ceasefire, established as a humanitarian gesture ahead of May 9, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, is set to last 72 hours until May 11.

The Kremlin stated that the ceasefire also aims to create an environment for direct, precondition-free talks with Ukraine.

So far, indirect talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States, have failed to achieve peace.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refused to support the ceasefire, calling it a "deceptive move."