Russia and Ukraine resume heavy strikes as US-brokered three-day truce expires
Primary region Europe
Tags Security · Diplomacy
Regions Europe
A 72-hour ceasefire brokered by President Trump expired on May 12, with Russia launching over 200 long-range drones at Ukraine overnight, killing at least one person and wounding several others in the Dnipropetrovsk region, while Kyiv also came under drone attack for the first time since the truce began. Russia's defence ministry said it shot down 27 Ukrainian drones over Belgorod, Voronezh and Rostov regions. Both sides had accused each other of violations even before the truce ended, and Zelenskyy said Russia 'chose to end the partial silence.' Putin had suggested the war may be 'coming to an end' but Kremlin spokesman Peskov said it was too early to discuss specifics.
Strategic interpretation
The rapid collapse of the truce underscores the fundamental lack of trust and the absence of any real negotiating framework. Trump's ceasefire gambit was largely symbolic, timed for Russia's Victory Day, and its failure suggests US-led peace efforts are stalling — particularly as Washington's attention shifts to the Iran conflict. Putin's vague 'end is drawing near' rhetoric may be aimed at testing Western resolve.