Russia issues shock ceasefire statement to stop fighting in Ukraine | World | News

Russia has declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine between May 8 and May 9 to coincide with commemorations marking victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. The shock statement comes after Vladimir Putin was left humiliated after being forced to scale back Russia’s annual Victory Day parade due to fears of Ukrainian strikes.

Russia threatened to launch a “massive retaliatory missile strike” on the centre of Kyiv if it attempts to interrupt the commemorations. While warning it was ready to act if the ceasefire was not adhered to, Russia’s defence ministry said: “Despite the capabilities at our disposal, Russia ⁠has previously refrained from such actions on humanitarian grounds. We are warning the ​civilian population of ‌Kyiv and staff ⁠at foreign diplomatic missions of ⁠the need to leave the city ‌in ​a timely manner.”

The statement added it hoped the Ukrainians would “follow suit” but Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the ceasefire call as “not serious”.

The Ukrainian President said no official proposal from Russia has been received and instead announced Kyiv would begin observing a ceasefire starting in the early hours of Wednesday.

He said on X: “We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary “celebration”.

“In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5–6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect. We will act reciprocally starting from that moment.

“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill.”

The Kremlin last week said no tanks, missiles or other military equipment would be displayed in Moscow’s Red Square during the Victory Day parade on May 9, citing the “current operational situation”.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Zelensky suggested Ukraine could use drones to target the event which is a source of patriotic pride within Russia.

He said: “Russia has announced a parade on May 9, but there will be no military equipment at this parade.

“This will be the first time in many, many years that they cannot afford the presence of weapons at the parade.”

“And Ukrainian drones can also strike this parade,” he added. “This shows that they are no longer as strong as before.”

The Kremlin typically uses the parade through Moscow to flex its military muscles to the world, showing off weapons including tanks, artillery and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The scaling back has been viewed as a clear sign of Russia’s fears of the threat posed by Ukrainian strikes.

Ukraine has ramped up assaults on targets deep inside Russia in recent months, with Moscow coming under a series of drone attacks.

Ukraine has marked victory in the Second World War on May 8 since 2024.

Mr Zelensky moved the holiday in 2023 to align Ukraine with the West on the anniversary of the end of the war.

Russian commemorationas are held on May 9 because when the armistice was signed, it was after midnight in Moscow.

The Soviet Union, which was made up of nations including both Russia and Ukraine, suffered 27 million loses during the Second World War.