Ukraine says Russia has broken its three-day ceasefire more than 700 times in its first 12 hours – but the Kremlin says Kyiv has violated it too. Meanwhile, foreign leaders – such as China’s Xi Jinping – are in Moscow for upcoming Victory Day celebrations. Follow the latest below.
Thursday 8 May 2025 12:04, UK
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Protests are being held at the Soviet memorial in Berlin, on the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender.
These are some of the latest pictures of demonstrators.
In addition to comments given to state media moments ago – see our below post – Russia’s defence ministry says Ukraine has tried twice to push through the border in the Kursk region.
Russian news agency Interfax has the comments.
Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Russian region last summer, but has in recent months lost ground.
Russia has claimed Ukrainian troops have been pushed out completely.
Just minutes after Ukraine’s foreign minister accused Russia of hundreds of ceasefire violations (see below post), Moscow has now responded with its own allegations.
Quoting Russia’s defence ministry, state media reports Ukraine has broken the ceasefire 488 times.
The ministry also insists its troops are observing the pause, which came into effect at midnight local time and will last for three days.
Russia has violated its three-day ceasefire 734 times, according to Ukraine’s foreign minister.
Andrii Sybiha added Moscow has carried out 63 “assault operations”.
Those figures, he said, account for the time between midnight and midday local time.
He also said Russia’s forces continue to attack across the entire eastern frontline.
While Ukraine’s major cities reportedly enjoyed a quiet night, Ukraine said Russia has broken its three-day ceasefire in the north and east of the country.
In Sumy, a military spokesperson said a 55-year-old woman was killed during Russian bombing.
Ukraine’s air force also said at least one missile hit the northern Sumy region until early morning today.
The battle lines in Ukraine are the “frontline for Western values”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
“This isn’t just a fight for freedom and democracy in Ukraine,” the UK prime minister said on the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender.
“No, it’s a new, more dangerous era of history, a period of global instability that fuels insecurity for working people here at home.”
The UK has committed to spend 2.5% of GDP – a measure of a state’s wealth – on defence from April next year, rising to 3% over the next Parliament.
“Russia already menaces our security,” Starmer added.
“They’ve launched cyber attacks on our NHS, spread disinformation online, and we cannot forget, just a few years ago, a chemical weapons attack on our streets in Salisbury in broad daylight in the heart of England.
“No, the battle lines in Ukraine are the frontline for Western values, and the argument that defines this age is simple: national security is economic security and that’s why we’re boosting defence spending with the largest sustained increase since the Cold War.”
China’s president is in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin and to attend Victory Day celebrations tomorrow.
Putin thanked Xi Jinping for his visit, adding: “The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance.”
He continued: “Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years, and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.”
These maps show the latest territorial situation, indicating how much ground is held by either side.
The first map shows a wider view of the conflict, and you can scroll along to see closer views of the fronts.
Today marks 80 years since the formal surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe.
But Sir Keir Starmer has warned the invasion of Ukraine shows the Second World War is not “just history”.
Ukrainian troops joined British soldiers in a parade through central London on Monday, with celebrations ongoing this week.
Speaking to the We Have Ways Of Making You Talk podcast, the UK’s prime minister said: “I’ve got children who live in peace and in a democracy as a result of other people, which is incredible.
“And then, you know, the reminder with the Ukrainian contingent in the procession, that the idea that this was all just history and it doesn’t matter now somehow is completely wrong.
“Those values of freedom and democracy matter today.”
Adding he felt a “personal responsibility” for maintaining the peace Europe has largely enjoyed since 1945, he said he was determined to ensure NATO – “the cornerstone of that peace” – continues “for decades to come”.
Ukraine’s air force has declared an air alert in seven eastern regions, warning of a danger of Russia using ballistic missiles.
That’s despite the Kremlin declaring a ceasefire for three days, in effect from today and covering Moscow’s annual Victory Day celebrations tomorrow.
Ukraine’s air force said earlier this morning the skies were quiet, following three breaches of the ceasefire in the northern Sumy region overnight.
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