Unilateral ceasefires announced by Ukraine and Russia ahead of Victory Day, with Moscow scaling back Red Square parade
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemns Moscow's actions as "utter cynicism" for seeking silence to hold propaganda celebrations while continuing attacks, as overnight strikes across Ukraine leave five dead and dozens injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russia for continuing deadly missile and drone attacks despite Moscow's request for a ceasefire on 8 and 9 May. The President described the situation as "utter cynicism," noting that Russia seeks silence to hold propaganda celebrations while launching attacks beforehand. This diplomatic friction has unfolded against a backdrop of both nations announcing unilateral ceasefires without agreeing on specific terms, length, or monitoring mechanisms.
While Russia threatened a massive missile strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine violated the truce, Kyiv declared an open-ended ceasefire starting at midnight on 6 May. The Ukrainian leadership stated that from this point, they would act symmetrically and pin any violations on Moscow. As these announcements were made, overnight strikes across Ukraine resulted in the deaths of five people and injuries to dozens more.
In a move described as demonstrating a willingness for an immediate ceasefire, Ukraine launched counter-strikes on Russian industrial sites. These attacks targeted an area in Kirishi in the Leningrad region and a military component factory in Cheboksary in Russia's Chuvash Republic. The strikes utilised domestically produced Flamingo cruise missiles, with one missile reportedly travelling approximately 1,500km from the front line to hit the Cheboksary facility.
The Russian defence ministry confirmed it had downed six Ukrainian Flamingo missiles and 601 drones during the period. The intensity of the aerial activity prompted significant disruption in Moscow, where all three of the capital's airports were temporarily shut on Tuesday morning. Later, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that four additional drones had been intercepted near the capital.
The Kremlin has shown signs of nervousness ahead of Victory Day, with the centrepiece event—a grand military parade on Red Square—scaled down due to the perceived terrorist threat from Ukraine. Consequently, no heavy military hardware will be displayed this year. Authorities in Moscow also warned that mobile internet access would be disrupted or cut off for several days leading up to 9 May.
Zelensky argued that the fact Russia feels it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine's goodwill to observe a ceasefire indicates it is time for Russian leaders to take steps to end their war. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with strikes on Ukrainian cities continuing to kill and maim civilians.
