Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday their two countries should be "friends of steel", as they pledged to boost cooperation to a new level at a time of heightened confrontation with the West.

Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow on Wednesday for a key three-day visit including a grand Victory Day parade and a show of support for Vladimir Putin.

Russia and Ukraine have both reported attacks on their forces on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by President Vladimir Putin.

Russia and Ukraine both reported attacks on their forces on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of violating its own ceasefire 734 times between midnight and midday Thursday.

Russia announced a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with celebrations in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.