Russia Announces Two-Day Ceasefire for Victory Day Commemorations

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has announced a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine on May 8 and 9, corresponding to April 18 and 19 in the Persian calendar, in observance of Victory Day commemorating the end of World War II.

In a statement released on Monday, the ministry said the ceasefire is declared to honor the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the “Great Patriotic War,” the term used in Russia for World War II. Moscow added that its armed forces will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of events related to this occasion.

The Russian Ministry of Defense also expressed hope that the Ukrainian side will reciprocate this gesture. The statement warned that if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Victory Day ceremonies, Russian forces will carry out retaliatory attacks.

The statement further noted that despite possessing the “necessary capabilities,” Russia has previously refrained from attacking the center of Kyiv for humanitarian reasons. The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, has seen short periods of ceasefire but the fighting continues.