The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced as a “farce” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire, citing extensive Russian military activity across the entire front line on 8 May.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, speaking via social media platform X, Russian forces launched sustained attacks from midnight to midday, in clear violation of the so-called ceasefire declared by the Kremlin. Sybiha reported that, in this 12-hour window alone, Russian troops committed 734 ceasefire violations, conducted 63 assault operations—23 of which were still ongoing at the time of his statement—and carried out 586 shelling incidents, including 464 involving heavy weaponry.
I just spoke with Ukraine’s military command, who provided information about the frontline situation. Predictably, Putin’s “Parade ceasefire” proves to be a farce.
According to our military data, despite Putin’s statements, Russian forces continue to attack across the entire…
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) May 8, 2025
The intensity of hostilities reported includes 176 drone strikes and 10 airstrikes employing 16 precision-guided aerial bombs. These figures suggest a high level of operational tempo and coordinated targeting along multiple sectors of the front, casting doubt on any practical implementation of the Russian-declared truce.
Foreign Minister Sybiha confirmed that all relevant data and incident records have been, or will be, forwarded to Ukraine’s international partners, including the United States, the European Union, and allied international organisations. He underscored Kyiv’s continued commitment to diplomatic transparency and accountability, particularly in relation to declared ceasefires and ongoing hostilities.
In his public remarks, Sybiha reiterated that Ukraine remains prepared to observe a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire, provided such an agreement is mutually observed and verifiable. “Ukraine remains ready for at least 30-day full ceasefire and confidence-building measures,” he said. “which will enable peace negotiations and the real path to a fair and sustainable peace.”
The statement follows the Russian President’s announcement earlier in the week, proposing a temporary cessation of offensive actions during the Victory Day commemorations. Observers have noted that Moscow’s messaging appeared aimed at garnering international credibility, rather than producing tangible de-escalation.
However, Ukrainian defence sources argue that the purported ceasefire has been used by Russian forces to launch renewed offensive manoeuvres under the guise of restraint. The situation mirrors similar episodes earlier in the conflict, where declarations of ceasefires have often coincided with intensified attacks or attempts to reposition forces.
On the ground, reports from the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirm continued pressure on front-line positions, including drone swarms and artillery barrages in several sectors, from Kharkiv region in the northeast to Zaporizhzhia and the southern theatre. Ukraine’s military leadership has warned that Russian forces are likely to maintain this level of activity in the short term, particularly around symbolically significant dates such as 9 May.
The timing of the escalation has also drawn attention among Western analysts, coming as diplomatic efforts to restart meaningful negotiations remain stalled. Kyiv has repeatedly called for any talks to be based on the full restoration of its territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian forces.
The developments come amid ongoing efforts by Ukraine to maintain international support, both in terms of military aid and broader diplomatic backing. Ukraine continues to emphasise its willingness to pursue a peaceful resolution, but insists that it must be built on enforceable commitments rather than symbolic gestures.
