
Russia renewed its ceasefire offer on March 8 after Ukraine refused a similar offer on Monday to provide a humanitarian corridor for millions of Ukrainians stranded inside war zones in Kiev, Kharkiv, Mariupol and other major cities

Media reports say fighting is taking place in close proximity of Kiev and other key cities in the country. The war has already caused the displacement of over 100,000 people, according to the UN refugees agency

The Russian military claimed to have neutralized Ukraine’s air defense and “liberated” a large part of the territories of the Donbass region within a few hours of the launch of the operation

This May 9 marks the 75th anniversary of the Victory Day, which commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany during the second world war in 1945