Russia said its troops stopped fighting in Ukraine at noon Moscow time Friday under President Vladimir Putin’s order of a 36-hour cease-fire for the Orthodox Christmas holiday. Kyiv dismissed the offer as a ploy.
Air-raid sirens sounded across the country shortly after the deadline, Ukraine said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces had stopped firing across the entire front line, but accused Ukraine of continuing to fight. Earlier, Russian military officials had said they would continue to fight if fired on or if Ukraine’s forces pushed to advance.
