The cease-fire would coincide with the Eastern Orthodox Christmas on Saturday, but Kremlin adversaries and some analysts call it a ploy for military and political advantage.
Russian officials have denied abuses against civilians despite widespread evidence of sexual violence by Russian troops documented by Ukrainian and international investigators.
President Emmanuel Macron pledged to provide AMX-10 RC armored vehicles, though Mr. Macron’s office did not specify how many of the vehicles would be delivered or when.
Ukrainian artillery targets Russian soldiers by pinpointing their phone signals. Despite the deadly results, Russian troops keep defying a ban on cellphone use near the front.