Russia Announces Three-Day Ceasefire During Victory Day Celebrations Amid Tensions With Ukraine

Moscow, May 2026 : Russia on Thursday announced a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine from midnight on May 8 until May 10, coinciding with celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

The announcement was made by the Russian Ministry of Defence, which stated that the decision was taken in accordance with instructions from Vladimir Putin, who also serves as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces.

According to the statement, the ceasefire would remain in effect throughout the Victory Day commemorations, one of Russia’s most significant national events. The ministry said the move was intended to mark the anniversary of what Russia refers to as the “Great Patriotic War,” commemorating the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.

“In accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, during the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Soviet people’s victory in the Great Patriotic War, from midnight on May 8 to May 10, the Russian side is declaring a ceasefire,” the ministry stated, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

The ceasefire announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Kyiv ahead of Russia’s annual Victory Day parade scheduled for May 9 at Red Square in Moscow.

Earlier this week, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while addressing the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, commented on the expected scale of Russia’s military parade. Referring to reports that heavy military equipment may not be prominently displayed, Zelenskyy remarked that it could mark the first such occasion in many years.

“If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment — and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square,” Zelenskyy reportedly said.

The comments triggered strong reactions from Russian officials. Maria Zakharova criticised what she described as attempts by Western countries to ignore or minimise Zelenskyy’s statements.

Zakharova alleged that Western nations have consistently undermined Soviet wartime history and memorials. She stated that Russia was fully aware of what she termed the “collective Western minority’s attitude” towards Victory Day commemorations.

Russian diplomats and military officials also reportedly warned that any attack targeting Moscow during the parade celebrations could provoke a major military response. According to reports, Russian officials indicated that Moscow possesses the capability to launch large-scale strikes on central Kyiv but had so far refrained from doing so.

The diplomatic tensions further extended to Armenia after Zelenskyy’s remarks in Yerevan. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it summoned the Armenian ambassador following the Ukrainian President’s comments made during the summit hosted in the Armenian capital.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin reportedly met Armenian Ambassador to Moscow Gurgen Arsenyan and conveyed Moscow’s dissatisfaction over what it described as Armenia providing a platform for “terrorist threats” against Russia.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has continued for more than four years, remains one of the most serious geopolitical crises in the world, with repeated military escalations, drone attacks, sanctions, and diplomatic confrontations continuing despite periodic calls for peace and temporary ceasefires.

Russia’s latest ceasefire announcement now places focus on whether both sides will observe the pause during the Victory Day period amid the continuing hostilities and heightened regional tensions.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)