Russia declares "truce" for 8-9 May, threatens large-scale strike on central Kyiv if Victory Day parade disrupted

Oleksandr Shumilin - 4 May, 20:33

The Kremlin. Photo: Getty Images

Russia's Ministry of Defence has unilaterally declared a "truce" for 8 and 9 May and warned that if the Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May is "disrupted", it will launch a large-scale missile strike on central Kyiv. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]

Source: Russian Ministry of Defence in a statement

Quote: "In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, V. V. Putin, a truce shall be declared on 8-9 May 2026 in honour of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.

We expect the Ukrainian side to follow this example."

Details: Russia stated that "in the event of attempts by the Kyiv regime [as Russian officials refer to the Ukrainian authorities – ed.] to implement its criminal plans aimed at disrupting the celebrations of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will deliver a large-scale missile strike on central Kyiv in response".

The statement also claimed that Russia had "previously refrained from such actions".

"We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in a timely manner," the statement said.

Background:

On 28 April, Russia's Defence Ministry said the Victory Day parade in Moscow would be held without military equipment or cadets from military schools due to the "current situation".
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian leader, claimed the 9 May parade in Moscow would be held in a "reduced format" because of a terrorist threat and also because the date is not a jubilee. The parade in St Petersburg will also be held without military equipment.
On 29 April, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, said that Vladimir Putin had had a phone call with US President Donald Trump, during which he expressed his readiness to declare a "ceasefire" on 9 May.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said it was "dishonest" of Russia to kill Ukrainians and then ask for a one-day ceasefire.

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