Russia declares a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day
In honor of the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, Russia’s Defense Ministry has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday. However, it has warned that any attempts by Kyiv to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations will be met with a “massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv.”
The Defense Ministry expressed hope that Ukraine would also observe the ceasefire for Russia’s important secular holiday, but there has been no response from Ukrainian authorities so far.
Last week, concerns over possible Ukrainian attacks led to the decision to scale back the traditional military parade on Moscow’s Red Square. This decision was made as Ukraine continues to launch drone attacks deep inside Russia in response to the ongoing conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously discussed the idea of a ceasefire for Victory Day with U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call.
The Victory Day parade in Moscow, typically a display of military strength and national pride, will be missing tanks, missiles, and other military equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Similar parades across Russia have also been affected by security concerns.
World War II holds a special significance in Russian history, with the Soviet Union suffering immense losses during the conflict. Putin has used Victory Day as a platform to underscore the importance of the war and justify Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Last year’s Victory Day parade, which marked the 80th anniversary, attracted a significant number of global leaders to Moscow, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.
In preparation for this year’s Victory Day celebrations, Putin has declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting on May 7, 2025, and measures have been taken to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, such as blocking cellphone internet in Moscow.
