“Victory Day” truce: Russia announces a ceasefire and warns Ukraine against violating it.
“Victory Day” truce: Russia announces a ceasefire and warns Ukraine against violating it.
2026-05-07
Shafaq News – Moscow
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that all Russian military formations in the area of the special military operation will completely cease combat operations during the period from May 8 to 10.
The ministry explained in its statement that during this period, Russian forces will cease strikes on Ukrainian armed forces positions along the contact lines, and strikes on facilities associated with the Ukrainian military-industrial complex deep within Ukrainian territory.
The ministry said: “If the Ukrainian armed forces violate the ceasefire in the area of the special military operation or attempt to launch attacks on settlements and objects, Russia will respond appropriately.”
The Russian Defense Ministry renewed its warning that it would launch an “intense missile strike on the center of Kyiv” if the Ukrainian leadership tried to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow scheduled for May 9.
In a separate statement, the ministry called “once again” on the civilian population of Kyiv, as well as the staff of foreign diplomatic missions, to leave the city in a timely manner to ensure their safety.
The Russian Defense Ministry called on the Ukrainian side to abide by the declared truce, considering it “a real opportunity to demonstrate readiness for peace and to stop the bloodshed.”
This escalation comes days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky threatened to target the Russian capital with drones during “Victory Day” celebrations.
The Russian-Ukrainian war began in February 2014, when Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula and supported separatists in the Donbas region. The war escalated into an invasion on February 24, 2012, when Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine.
shafaq.com
