In a Short Respite, Russia, Ukraine Announce Ceasefire for Victory Day Holidays

In a brief respite from the four-year war, Russia and Ukraine have announced a unilateral ceasefire in the military operations to commemorate Victory Day with separate parades to mark the World War 2 wins.

On Monday (May 4, 2026), Russia announced that its ceasefire would take effect on May 8 and 9, while Ukraine, too, did so for May 5 and 6, a little later in the day.

“In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8–9, 2026,” the Russian Ministry of Defence said in a post on the state-backed messaging app MAX. “We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit,” it said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly afterwards that he had received no official notice from Russia, and that Ukraine would observe a separate ceasefire beginning at midnight on Tuesday (May 5).

“As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

“In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 (2100 GMT) on the night of May 5-6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect,” he added.

The Ukrainian president also stated that “human life is incomparably more valuable than the ‘celebration’ of any anniversary,” adding: “It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war.”

Putin was the first to suggest a ceasefire during a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump last week. Then, Ukraine had said it would seek details from the US, reiterating that Kyiv supported a lasting cessation of hostilities and a peace agreement along with security guarantees.

Announcing the ceasefire, the Russian Defence Ministry said the military would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Victory Day parade, adding a warning to Ukraine not to launch attacks during its declared ceasefire.

“If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv,” the Russian Defence Ministry said.

“We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly,” it added.

Moscow called the ceasefire announcement a precautionary measure in view of the threat of Ukrainian airstrikes during the war anniversary.

Zelenskyy met European Union leaders on Monday (May 4), when he said Russia’s decision not to display military equipment at the parade was due to fear of Ukraine’s drones and evidence of Moscow’s growing weakness.

“This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy. And we must push him toward diplomacy,” Zelenskyy told the European Political Community (EPC) leaders at Yerevan.

“Russia has announced a May 9 parade in Moscow without military equipment,” Zelenskyy said. “If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment, and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square. This is telling. It shows they are not strong now,” he added.

In April 2026, Putin announced a 32-hour ceasefire to mark Orthodox Easter. Zelenskyy reciprocated, promising to abide by the ceasefire. However, the two nations returned to hostilities, accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire.

The Russia-Ukraine war has entered its fifth year since it began in February 2022, killing several thousand and displacing millions. This war has been described as the bloodiest that Europe has witnessed since World War 2 ended in 1945.