Ukraine announces ceasefire regime starting Wednesday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Ukraine will implement a ceasefire with Russia starting Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

"We are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect," Zelensky wrote on X.

Ukraine will act reciprocally starting from that moment, Zelensky said.

He added that Ukraine has received no official appeal regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being referenced on Russian social media.

Earlier on Monday, Russia's Defense Ministry declared a ceasefire on May 8-9 in honor of Victory Day, voicing hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit.

The truce was declared in accordance with a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ministry said, adding that Russian forces would take all necessary measures to ensure security during the commemorative events.

The ministry also warned that any attempts to disrupt the celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War would trigger a "massive missile strike" on central Kiev.

It said Russia had previously refrained from such actions for humanitarian reasons, despite having the capability, and warned civilians in Kiev as well as foreign diplomatic staff to leave the city in a timely manner.

In his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on April 29, Putin expressed Russia's readiness to declare a truce for the period of Victory Day commemorations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 30 that he has instructed his representatives to contact Trump's team and clarify the details of Russia's proposal for the ceasefire.

4 killed, 18 injured in Russian strike on Ukraine's city

At least 4 people were killed and 18 others injured Monday in a Russian attack on the city of Merefa in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region, regional governor Oleg Synegubov said.

According to preliminary data, the missile strike damaged a vehicle service station, an administrative building, 10 residential buildings, four shops and an eatery, Synegubov wrote on Telegram.

He said the dead were two men aged 50 and 63, and two women aged 41 and 52, respectively.

All of the injured are receiving medical treatment, with three of them in severe condition.