Russia Announces May 8-9 Ceasefire, Threatens Kyiv With Massive Missile Strike

Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8 and May 9 in connection with Giorno della Vittoria, saying it would begin from midnight and that it would stop fighting for two days.

The Russian Defense Ministry warned Ukraine to respect the ceasefire, threatening a “risposta adeguata” described as a “massiccio attacco missilistico sul centro di Kiev” if it was violated.

BBC

The same report says Russia told residents and accredited diplomats in Kyiv to leave the city to avoid the risks of potential retaliation, quoting a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry that “la necessità di lasciare la città per tempo”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, warned allied countries not to participate in the May 9 parade, saying “Non lo raccomandiamo” and arguing that Russia’s main parade now “dipende da noi”.

The Kyiv Independent frames the Russian Defense Ministry’s position by confirming Putin’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire from midnight May 8 to May 10 and quoting that “all Russian military units will fully cease combat operations.”

Zelensky told foreign officials that Ukraine “doesn't recommend” their attendance at Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, after Russia threatened retaliation if its unilateral ceasefire was violated.

In Zelensky’s May 7 evening address, the Kyiv Independent quotes him saying, “They want permission from Ukraine to hold their parade, so they can safely march onto the square for one hour once a year, and then go back to killing our people and waging war again,” linking the parade to continued attacks.

BBC

DW reports Zelensky speaking in central Kyiv and quoting him as saying, “A strange desire... in these days. We do not recommend it,” while also describing messages from states close to Russia about representatives planning to be in Moscow.

The Kyiv Independent adds that Zelensky said the fate of Russia’s May 9 military parade “depends” on Ukraine’s army, and it notes Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov claimed Russia did not invite foreign leaders this year.

DW also reports that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said additional security measures were being taken due to the “rather complex operational situation,” and that state media reported mobile internet access and text messaging services would be shut down in the Russian capital on May 9.

Beyond the May 8-10 truce, Il Messaggero quotes General Marco Bertolini warning that “Article 5 does not mean automatic entry into war,” arguing that allies must support the attacked with means they deem necessary, but not necessarily military.

“Il presidente ucraino Volodymyr Zelensky ha rilasciato una dichiarazione significativa, affermando che l'Ucraina non consiglia ai Paesi alleati della Russia di prendere parte alla parata militare che si terrà il 9 maggio a Mosca”

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Bertolini also says Ukraine is not a NATO member and that its possible accession is “the main reason for the Russian operation,” adding that appealing to Article 5 would be unacceptable to Putin.

In the same interview, Bertolini argues that “no boots on the ground, no soldiers on the terrain, but air protection” is possible, describing surveillance from above and weapons deployment outside Ukraine as a deterrence approach.

Le Figaro places the May 9 parade in a wider European political context, saying Dmitry Peskov expects “more than 20 heads of state and government” to attend in the capital, and it notes the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warning that participation “will not be taken lightly by Europe.”

L’Express adds that Slovakia’s President Robert Fico decided to go to Moscow despite EU warnings, quoting his statement: “No one can order me where to go and where not to go,” and it says he had already gone to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin on December 22.