A US-mediated ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine appeared under serious strain on its second day, with both sides accusing each other of violating the deal through weekend attacks.

The three-day pause, announced by President Donald Trump, is part of a broader US-led push for peace that has so far failed to end the more than four-year war.

Ukrainian officials reported three people killed in Russian drone strikes near the front line, with more than 200 battlefield clashes since early Saturday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia refrained from large-scale aerial and missile attacks but continued assaults along parts of the front where its forces are advancing.

Russia's Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of flouting the pause, saying it had downed 57 Ukrainian drones and responded in kind. Zelenskyy said he expected the US to guarantee a swap of 1,000 prisoners of war from each side.

Separately, Germany dismissed a suggestion by Putin that former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could coordinate EU talks to secure a peace deal.