Russia on Monday announced a unilateral ceasefire ahead of the May 9 Victory Day celebration. In a statement, Russia’s Defence Ministry said that it was halting the war in Kyiv, effective May 8-9, to mark Moscow’s annual Victory Day celebrations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his own unilateral ceasefire starting on Wednesday to stop the cessation of hostilities. In Russia, Friday and Saturday mark the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people during what it calls the ‘Great Patriotic War’ in 1941-45.
The ceasefire was formally announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian defence ministry threatened to strike Ukraine if its forces disrupted the Victory Day festivities.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence Warns Kyiv: ‘Will Follow Suit’
Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on Monday that it will stop the war temporarily for the May 9 celebrations. It warned Ukraine that any attack on its territory would imply that Moscow “will follow suit.” There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities to Russian threats.
Last week, authorities in Russia appeared sceptical about the event at the Red Square, flagging concerns about the possible Ukrainian attacks. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have launched drone attacks deep inside Russia, targeting the energy infrastructure.
If Ukraine attempts to disrupt Saturday’s celebrations, Russia will carry out a “massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv,” the Russian MoD warned. It added that the civilian population in Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions “need to leave the city promptly” should such a scenario arise. Last year, similarly, Russian President Putin had declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting May 7, 2025, as the global leaders flocked to Moscow to attend the event. Russian authorities blocked cellphone internet in Moscow for several days to avert Ukrainian drone attacks.
In a warning to Kyiv, the Russian Defence Ministry said that if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Saturday’s celebrations, Russia will carry out a massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv.
Ukraine Denies Receiving ‘Ceasefire Request’
In a statement, Kyiv denied receiving any ceasefire request from Russia, saying there was no official dialogue about the temporary truce. “Ukrainian President Zelensky noted that it was “unrealistic” that a truce may even be implemented in a short notice. He urged Kremlin to take “real steps” to end the war, especially when Russian Defence ministry stated that it does not believe that it can hold the May 9 parade without Ukraine’s “goodwill.” Speaking at a summit with European leaders in Armenia on Monday, Zelenskyy said that the Russian authorities “fear drones may buzz over Red Square” on May 9. “This is telling. It shows they are not strong now, so we must keep up the pressure through sanctions on them,” he said.
Speaking at a summit with European leaders in Armenia, Zelensky said that the Russian authorities “fear drones may buzz over Red Square” on May 9. “This is telling. It shows they are not strong now, so we must keep up the pressure through sanctions on them,” he said. The Ukrainian President warned that Kyiv might send drones to the Russian Capital. Zelensky urged at the Yerevan summit to step up the pressure on Russia to stop the war.
