Russia’s Defence Ministry has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine on the 8th and 9th of May, marking the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Moscow has warned that it will retaliate if Kyiv attempts to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations. Responding to the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would observe a truce starting midnight tomorrow and would respond in kind to Russia’s actions. However, no end date for the truce has been specified.

The developments come as Russia prepares for its most significant secular holiday, marked by a traditional military parade at Red Square in Moscow. For years, the Kremlin has used the Victory Day parade to showcase military strength and national pride. However, this year’s parade will be held without tanks, missiles, and other heavy equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Several smaller parades across the country have also been scaled down or cancelled citing security concerns. Last year’s 80th anniversary parade drew several global leaders, including Xi Jinping of China, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is expected to attend again this year.