Kyiv accused Moscow of breaching its own ceasefire on Thursday, saying Russian forces struck hundreds of times along the front lines and launched guided bombs that killed and wounded civilians in several Ukrainian cities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed China's Xi Jinping to celebrate Victory Day 80 years after World War II ended. CBS News' Elizabeth Palmer reports from Moscow.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their strategic partnership during Xi’s Moscow visit, highlighting unity against Western influence with Xi calling for “true friends of steel” and Putin praising their united stance against neo-Nazism and militarism.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint statement “further deepening” their partnership following talks in Moscow Thursday – a show of solidarity in the face of global uncertainties unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s “America First” diplomacy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for joining celebrations to mark 80 years since the "sacred" victory over Adolf Hitler in World War Two, and said the two countries stood together now against "neo-Nazism".

The two leaders, meeting in Moscow, rejected what they described as Washington’s attempt to contain them. They also hailed their friendship.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine both reported attacks on their forces Thursday on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian lawmakers unanimously approved a landmark minerals deal with the U.S.

Ukraine's parliament voted on Thursday in favour of ratifying a minerals deal signed with the United States, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure future military assistance from Washington in its fight to repel Russian troops.