Russia declared on Monday a ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8 and 9 “in honor of the celebration of the Soviet people’s victory in the Great Patriotic War,” the Defense Ministry announced on Telegram. The ministry expressed hope that Ukraine would also observe the truce. However, it warned that if Kyiv attempts to disrupt the 81st anniversary celebrations, “the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv.” The ministry cited a statement by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy that “contains threats to strike Moscow specifically on May 9.”
Civilian warning
“Russia, despite its capabilities, has previously refrained from such actions for humanitarian reasons,” the ministry added. “We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly.” Ukrainian authorities have not yet responded to the ceasefire announcement. Earlier Monday, Zelenskyy said that talks on a possible May 9 ceasefire took place between the United States and Russia, with no Ukrainian officials involved. “No one officially contacted us, no one officially offered anything,” he said, adding that Ukrainian drones could fly over Moscow on May 9.