RUSSIA and Ukraine accused each other of attacks today, the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia had violated its own ceasefire 734 times between midnight and midday. 

Posting on X, he called the supposed pause in fighting a “farce.”

One civilian was killed and two others wounded when guided bombs struck residential areas of Ukraine’s north-eastern Sumy region, according to local prosecutors.

In Moscow, the Defence Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of attacking Russian positions and said its forces would continue to “mirror” Ukraine’s actions during the Kremlin’s ceasefire.

This came as Ukraine’s parliament unanimously approved a minerals deal with the United States that will allow US access to Ukraine’s largely untapped minerals.

Washington claimed it would also deepen strategic ties and create a joint investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The parliament in Kiev approved the minerals agreement with 338 votes in favour, well above the required 226. No MP voted against it or abstained.

“This document is not merely a legal construct, it is the foundation of a new model of interaction with a key strategic partner,” Ukrainian Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko wrote on X.

The ceasefire coincides with Russia’s biggest holiday, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. 

Kiev had pressed for a longer-term truce.

Meanwhile, Mr Putin hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow on the eve of Friday’s Victory Day commemorations. 

The Russian leader hailed Mr Xi as the event’s “main guest” during his four-day visit to Russia.