Russia has announced a unilateral ceasefire to coincide with its Victory Day commemorations, while simultaneously warning of a potential “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if it judges that Ukraine attempts to disrupt celebrations in Moscow.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the pause in fighting would run from May 8 to May 9, covering the period of annual events marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. The Kremlin marks the occasion each year on May 9 with a large military parade in Moscow.
The move was ordered by President Vladimir Putin, according to Russian officials, though it was announced without consultation with Kyiv.
The Defence Ministry said Russia expected Ukraine to “follow this example”, despite what it described as a unilateral decision. It also issued a stark warning that any attempt to disrupt Victory Day events in Moscow would be met with retaliation, including a missile strike on the Ukrainian capital.
In a statement reported by Russian state outlets, the ministry said that if Ukraine sought to “implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War”, Russian forces would respond accordingly.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions ahead of the commemorations, with Moscow accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of making implied threats against Russian territory. Speaking at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan on Monday, Mr Zelensky rejected the ceasefire proposal, describing it as lacking substance and not the result of any direct dialogue with Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian sources, cited by Ukrinform, said discussions about the truce had taken place between American and Russian officials, but that Kyiv had not been involved.
The BBC’s Russian service reported that the ceasefire announcement was intended to coincide with the symbolic national holiday, which remains one of the most significant dates in the Russian calendar.
Last year, Russia declared a similar unilateral pause in hostilities over Victory Day, which Ukrainian authorities said was repeatedly violated, with hundreds of reported shellings and drone attacks during the period.
Despite the latest announcement, the Kremlin has confirmed that Victory Day events will proceed as planned in Moscow, with security measures being stepped up around the capital as a precaution.
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