MOSCOW — Russia's Defense Ministry declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 9, 2026, to mark the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The ministry also threatened to carry out a massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv if Ukraine attempted to disrupt Victory Day celebrations.

In a post on the state-backed messaging app MAX, the ministry said the ceasefire was declared by decision of President Vladimir Putin and that it hoped Ukraine would follow suit. "If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv," the ministry said.

The ministry also addressed residents and diplomats in the Ukrainian capital. "We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly," it said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6, saying he had not received an official appeal from Russia about its truce. "We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary 'celebration'. In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6," Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on X. "In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect. We will act reciprocally starting from that moment."

Zelenskyy also called for a broader halt to hostilities. "It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia's Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine's goodwill," he said.

Putin floated the idea of a ceasefire for Victory Day in a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump last week. Russian authorities also decided last week to pare down the traditional military parade on Moscow's Red Square due to concerns over possible Ukrainian attacks, and the parade will take place without tanks, missiles and other military equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Some smaller Victory Day parades elsewhere in Russia have been pared down or canceled for security reasons.

Ukraine has been launching drone attacks deep inside Russia to counter its more than four-year-old invasion. In 2025, Putin declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting May 7, and Russian authorities blocked cellphone internet in Moscow for several days to avert Ukrainian drone attacks.

May 9 is the day on which Russia celebrates its victory over the Nazis. The United States and its European allies mark Victory in Europe on May 8 each year, the day on which Nazi Germany capitulated to the Allies in 1945.