Ukraine reportedly orders troops to fire only in response to Russian attacks during Putin's declared ceasefire

Ukrainian troops have received orders to fire only in response to Russian attacks during the three-day ceasefire unilaterally declared by Vladimir Putin, Suspilne reports, citing soldiers from three Ukrainian units fighting near the city of Pokrovsk and in southern Ukraine.

The soldiers reportedly said they received the same order during the “Easter ceasefire” declared by Russia in April. However, troops from Ukraine’s 93rd Mechanized Brigade told Suspilne they had not received any orders to observe the ceasefire or refrain from opening fire first.

The current ceasefire, which Putin announced to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, came into effect at midnight on Wednesday night.

Ukraine has not formally joined the ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv does not support a three-day pause in fighting and instead proposed a 30-day truce.

On the morning of May 8, Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said that “Ukraine is staying silent officially, but is also joining the ceasefire.” He wrote on Telegram that the military had received corresponding instructions.

Unlike previous nights, Wednesday night passed without large-scale drone attacks reported on Ukrainian or Russian territory. However, the Ukrainian military said Russian forces have continued combat operations.

“The enemy is less active, and there were no clashes in some areas this morning. But there was still active fighting in several areas, so this can't be called a ceasefire,” said Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia operational-strategic group.

According to him, more than 60 combat encounters have occurred since the start of the day, including in the Lyman, Vovchansk, Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk areas.

The ceasefire announced by Putin is set to last until midnight on May 11. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin’s ceasefire initiative remains in effect but warned of a “proper response” if it is violated.