Russia and Ukraine kept up dueling attacks on Wednesday, a day before a Russian-proposed three-day cease-fire was to take effect. A strike in Kyiv killed two people and wounded another eight, including four children.
Russia had offered the truce beginning at midnight on Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Foreign dignitaries including China’s president, Xi Jinping, were scheduled to attend a Victory Day parade in Moscow on Friday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine rejected the offer as too short to allow for meaningful negotiations to end the war and said that Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had proposed the truce only to put guests of the Russian parade at ease. Ukraine has said it will adhere to a cease-fire if it is extended for 30 days.
