As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his heavily choreographed May 9 “Victory Day” military parade, he’s been clear who’s at the top of his guest list: Xi Jinping.

The attacks came a day before a Russian-proposed cease-fire was to take effect and as Moscow prepared to welcome foreign dignitaries for a parade.

Ukrainian forces are reported to have launched a new incursion into Russia's Kursk border region, where Kyiv officials had hoped to gain leverage in peace negotiations. Russian military Telegram channels reported that Ukrainian troops breached the Russian border near the village of Tetkino.