One person dead as Ukraine accuses Russia of violating self-declared ceasefire

A rescue worker searches residential buildings destroyed by a Russian strike in Sumy, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia struck north-eastern Ukraine on Thursday in the opening hours of a 72-hour ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, killing one person, Ukrainian officials said.

The unilateral ceasefire coincides with celebrations in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, Russia’s biggest secular holiday. Kyiv has pressed for a longer-term ceasefire.