Russia and Ukraine announced separate temporary ceasefires on Monday (4 May), with Moscow proposing a pause in fighting on 8-9 May to coincide with its Victory Day parade. Kyiv said it would begin its own truce earlier, on the night of 5-6 May.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the ceasefire had been ordered by President Vladimir Putin, and said Moscow hoped Ukraine would follow suit.
Russia also threatened what it called a “massive missile strike” on central Kyiv if Ukraine attempted to disrupt the commemorations. The ministry warned civilians and foreign diplomatic missions in the Ukrainian capital to leave the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Moscow’s proposal, saying Russia could not expect a ceasefire only during what he described as a Russian military holiday. He said there had been no formal approach to Ukraine on the terms of such a truce, and announced a Ukrainian ceasefire from midnight on 5-6 May.
Victory Day, marked annually in Russia on 9 May, commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War and is traditionally accompanied by a large military parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
Source: commonspace.eu with The Moscow Times