Russia and Ukraine declared competing unilateral ceasefires on May 4. Kyiv announced its truce would begin at midnight on May 5–6, two days before Moscow’s proposed May 8-9 pause and with no stated end date.
Russia’s Defense Ministry declared the ceasefire on MAX, the state-backed messaging app, ahead of Victory Day. The ministry warned any Ukrainian attempt to disrupt the commemoration would trigger “a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv,” urging civilians and diplomatic personnel to evacuate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had received no official ceasefire request through formal channels, adding that Ukraine would act “reciprocally” and urging Moscow to “take real steps to end their war.”
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. We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary “celebration”. In this regard, we are announcing a…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 4, 2026
Ukraine’s truce carries no stated end date. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s ceasefire would proceed without Kyiv’s agreement.
Both declarations came hours after a Ukrainian drone struck a residential high-rise on Mosfilmovskaya Street in western Moscow around 1:00 a.m., 3.7 miles from the Kremlin. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed no casualties and said air defense forces downed two additional drones heading toward the capital.
Speaking at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Zelensky tied Russia’s removal of tanks and missiles from the May 9 parade, its first weapon-free event since 2008, to Ukrainian drone pressure. “They fear drones may buzz over Red Square. This shows they are not strong now,” he said. Russia’s Defense Ministry cited the “current operational situation.”
This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy. And we must push him toward diplomacy.
Russia has announced a May 9 parade in Moscow without military equipment. If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years.… pic.twitter.com/vToaxOtPBI
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 4, 2026
Russian mobile operators have begun warning customers of cellular internet restrictions in Moscow and St. Petersburg, a tactic also used during Russia’s 2025 Victory Day ceasefire.
I met with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, @RobertFicoSVK, in Yerevan. Ukraine is open to constructive dialogue with Slovakia and is interested in developing strong relations.
We discussed cooperation across various areas and holding a government meeting in the format of an… pic.twitter.com/ZaWAiDKZm5
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 4, 2026
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, confirmed to attend the parade, may travel to Moscow by land after the Baltic states closed their airspace to his aircraft, Russian media reported.
