Russia and Ukraine declare separate ceasefires, with Kyiv truce coming into effect today

The aftermath of a Russian missile strike in the town of Merefa, Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Photo / AFP

Russia has declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between May 8 and 9, when Moscow marks its annual World War II Victory Day commemorations, and threatened a “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if Ukraine violated it.

At the same time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces would observe their own truce with Russia between today and tomorrow NZT.

Russian President Vladimir Putin first proposed the May 8 truce last week, during a phone call with United States counterpart Donald Trump.

Ukraine said last week that it would seek details from Washington about the offer.

On state-backed messaging app Max, the Russian Defence Ministry said: “In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8–9, 2026 ... We hope that the Ukrainian side will 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 centre of Kyiv.

“We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly.”

Zelenskyy announced Ukraine’s ceasefire plans on X, writing: “As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media. In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5–6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect."

Zelenskyy is in Bahrain for talks on “security co-operation”, a source told AFP.

Since the Iran war began, several Gulf nations have sought Ukrainian help in downing Iranian drones and missiles used to attack them, according to Kyiv.

- AFP