Russia Declares Victory Day Truce, Signals Pause in Fighting

Moscow announced a unilateral Victory Day truce while warning of retaliation if Ukraine attempts to disrupt the May 9 military parade. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin leaves Red Square after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russia’s Defense Ministry announced a unilateral truce for Victory Day, declaring a pause in fighting from May 8 to May 9, while warning it would carry out a “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if Ukraine attempts to disrupt celebrations in Moscow . According to the BBC’s Russian service , the truce was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to coincide with the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, marked annually on May 9, Ukrinform reported on Monday. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The ministry said Russia expects Ukraine to “follow this example,” despite the announcement being made without consultations with Kyiv. At the same time, Russian officials warned of retaliation if Moscow’s military parade is threatened. The Defense Ministry said that if Ukraine tries to “implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War,” Russian forces would respond with a missile strike on central Kyiv. The ministry also cited comments made by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan , which the Kremlin interpreted as a threat of a strike on Moscow during Victory Day events. Zelensky later said there had been no dialogue with Ukrainian authorities regarding the truce and described the proposal of a one‑day ceasefire as frivolous. According to Ukrinform, discussions about the truce took place between American and Russian officials, but Kyiv was not involved. Other Topics of Interest Canada to Provide Additional $200M for Ukraine Weapons Procurement The funding will go toward arms purchases under a multinational procurement initiative for Ukraine. Last year, Russia announced a similar unilateral ceasefire for Victory Day, which Ukraine said was repeatedly violated. At the time, Ukrainian officials reported hundreds of shellings and drone strikes during the declared pause. The Kremlin is proceeding with Victory Day celebrations on May 9, and warned that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure security. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.