Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine this month, starting on May 8 to mark the end of World War II. This is the second time in the last two weeks that Putin has promised a temporary pause in fighting.

US Vice President JD Vance said the war in Ukraine is “not going to end any time soon,” just hours after Washington and Kyiv signed a key minerals agreement that has peace in Ukraine among its goals.

Ukraine's Air Force lost a Su-27 fighter jet during a Russian aerial attack on April 28. The aircraft was conducting a combat mission, supporting ground troops. The loss follows the earlier downing of the second F-16 fighter jet, which reportedly occurred in the Russia-bordering northeastern region of Sumy on April 16.