Russia declares a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day
Russian Ministry of Defense, Nazi Germany’s World War II. He declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine on Friday and Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of its defeat in World War II, but threatened retaliation against Kiev if it tried to disrupt Victory Day celebrations.
The Defense Ministry said on Monday it hoped Ukraine would “follow the same path” regarding a ceasefire for Russia’s most important secular holiday. There has been no comment yet from Ukrainian officials.
Authorities decided last week reduce traditional military parade Concerns were expressed about possible Ukrainian attacks in Moscow’s Red Square. Ukraine has been carrying out drone attacks deep into Russia against its occupation that has been going on for more than 4 years.
The Defense Ministry said Russia would launch a “major missile attack on the center of Kiev” if Ukraine tried to disrupt Saturday’s celebrations. He warned the civilian population here and employees of foreign diplomatic missions “of the need to leave the city immediately.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the idea of a ceasefire for Victory Day in his phone call with US President Donald Trump last week.
For years, the Kremlin has used its flashy Victory Day parade to showcase its military might and global influence, and it has been a source of patriotic pride.
But the parade in the Russian capital will be held without tanks, missiles and other military equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Some smaller parades held elsewhere in the country have also been partially canceled or even canceled for security reasons.
World War II It remains a rare point of consensus in Russia’s divisive history under communist rule. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in what it called the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45; It was a tremendous sacrifice that left a deep wound in the national psyche.
Putin, who has ruled Russia for more than 25 years, has made Victory Day a key pillar of his tenure and has tried to use it to legitimize the war in Ukraine.
Last year’s parade Filmed on the 80th anniversary The most global leaders to Moscow Over the decade, it has included high-profile guests such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Putin made a statement 72-hour unilateral ceasefire Starting on May 7, 2025, authorities blocked mobile phone internet in Moscow for several days to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks.
