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Russia declares ceasefire with Ukraine on May 8-9 in honour of Victory Day

Says it will take “all necessary” steps after Zelenskyy threat to strike Moscow on May 9

Anadolu Agency May 04, 2026 Less than a minute read

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Head of the Republic of Mordovia Artyom Zdunov, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 4, 2026.PHOTO:REUTERS

Russia declared a ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8-9 “in honour of the celebration of the Soviet people’s victory in the Great Patriotic War.”

In a statement on Telegram, the Russian Defence Ministry said it hopes Ukraine will follow suit.

The ministry said Russia will take “all necessary” measures to ensure the security of the celebrations, citing a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “which contains threats to strike Moscow specifically on May 9.”

“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 ministry said.

“Russia, despite its capabilities, has previously refrained from such actions for humanitarian reasons,” it added. “We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly.”

Ukrainian authorities have not yet responded to Moscow's announcement of a two-day ceasefire.