Reuters/CCTV. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that a three-day truce with Ukraine had taken effect at midnight ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.
Putin declared on April 28 to implement a ceasefire to commemorate the Victory Day which falls on May 9 with a full cessation of hostilities.
The ceasefire came into effect from 00:00 Moscow time (9:00 p.m. GMT) on May 8 and will last for 72 hours, until 00:00 Moscow time (9:00 p.m. GMT) on May 11.
Russia had called on Ukraine to join the truce, said the Kremlin, adding that Russian troops would give "adequate and effective response" if Ukraine violates the ceasefire.
The Kremlin also noted that Russia "once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions."
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday (May 7) that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire in its war with Russia, while the Kremlin had made no response to the proposal.
A spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, rejected any suggestion that Moscow had opposed or was hindering efforts to introduce a ceasefire.
Both were speaking hours before a three-day ceasefire proposed by Russia was to go into effect to mark the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
"Ukraine's proposal to cease strikes and establish at least a 30-day ceasefire remains in force," Zelenskiy said in a nightly video address. "We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance."
Zelenskiy also appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that have been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War Two commemorations approached.
