Russia declared a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine

Russia announces a ceasefire on May 8 and 9 in honor of the celebration of victory in the Great Patriotic War.

This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

"In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, a ceasefire is declared on May 8-9, 2026, in honor of the celebration of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War," the statement reads.

Moscow expects Kyiv to follow its example in connection with the announcement of the ceasefire, the statement says. At the same time, the ministry emphasized that the Russian Armed Forces will deliver a retaliatory strike on the center of the Ukrainian capital in the event of Ukraine's attempts to strike Russian territory during the Victory Day celebrations.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv had not received an official ceasefire proposal from Russia.