Russia said on Saturday that fighting had been taking place in four regions of Ukraine despite this week's unilateral ceasefire by Moscow, saying its troops had been forced to respond to Ukrainian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was ready to accept a U.S. proposal for a 30-day cease-fire, provided Russia did the same

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine was ready to meet for talks with Russia — but only after Vladimir Putin agrees to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which the Russian president so far hasn’t done.

Moscow's grand avenues, like every year in early May, were taken over by the growling of 80-year-old tanks and the smell of gasoline burned by military vehicles. To the delight of many locals, soldiers marched in multiple rehearsals for the May 9 Victory Day Parade in the week leading up to the actual event.

Ukrainian drone strikes have heightened anxiety across Moscow ahead of this year’s May 9 parade on Red Square, where President Vladimir Putin will be watching with other leaders.

The attacks came a day before a Russian-proposed cease-fire was to take effect and as Moscow prepared to welcome foreign dignitaries for a parade.