Russia announces unilateral truce for May 9 parade and threatens Ukraine if it violates it: “We will hit the center of Kiev with missiles”
The Ministry of Defense of Russia announced on Monday a unilateral ceasefire in the fighting with Ukraine on May 8 and 9, in the context of marking, on Saturday, the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, international press agencies write.
“In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, (President) Vladimir Putin, an armistice has been declared on May 8-9, 2026,” the Russian Ministry of Defense announced in a message posted on MAX, a state-backed messaging application, Agerpres cites.
According to the announcement, Russia expects Ukraine to follow suit and respect the cessation of hostilities on Friday and Saturday, the day a military parade will be held in Moscow's Red Square.
“We will launch a massive retaliatory missile attack”
At the same time, Russia has threatened to launch a “massive missile attack” on Kiev if Ukraine violates the May 8-9 ceasefire.
“If the Kiev regime tries to implement its criminal plans aimed at disrupting the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian armed forces will launch a massive retaliatory missile attack on the center of Kiev,” the Russian Ministry of Defense also stated in the same statement on MAX.
“Russia fears a Ukrainian drone attack”
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Monday, in his speech at the meeting of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia, that Russia fears a drone attack on the annual parade in Moscow on May 9, reports EFE.
“Russia has announced a parade on May 9 in Moscow without military equipment. If this happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment and are afraid that drones could fly over Red Square,” Zelenskiy said.
The Ukrainian president made these remarks a few hours after a Ukrainian drone struck a building in Moscow, located about ten kilometers from the Kremlin, an attack that was confirmed by the mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin.
Zelenski interpreted the Kremlin's decision as evidence of Russia's weakness, as did EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas last week.
