Russia says Ukraine violates ceasefire, Russian forces respond in kind

MOSCOW, May 8 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry said on Friday that Ukraine violated a ceasefire announced by Moscow to cover the celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.

"Despite the declaration of a ceasefire, Ukrainian armed groups continued to launch attacks using drones and artillery against the positions of our troops, as well as against civilian targets in the border areas of the Belgorod and Kursk regions," the statement from the ministry said.

"In these circumstances, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation responded in kind to the ceasefire violations. They launched retaliatory strikes against multiple launch rocket systems, artillery and mortar positions. They targeted command posts and UAV launch sites."