Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a surprise 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The Kremlin announced on Monday that all hostilities would be paused from May 8 through May 10, citing humanitarian reasons for the truce.
“Based on humanitarian considerations, the Russian side is declaring a truce during the 80th anniversary of Victory Day,” the statement read. Moscow further urged Ukraine to observe the ceasefire as well, warning that any violations by Kyiv would be met with a “swift and effective” military response.
This announcement follows a similar move during the Easter period, where a 30-hour truce was declared. Although both sides noted a temporary dip in hostilities, they also accused each other of violating the ceasefire hundreds of times.
Putin’s latest truce offer comes amid continued international pressure for a peaceful resolution. Notably, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged Putin to “stop shooting” and “sign a deal” to bring the conflict, now entering its third year, to an end. The United States has been actively pursuing a permanent ceasefire through diplomatic channels but has yet to secure any significant breakthrough with the Kremlin.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tensions remained high overnight as Ukraine and Russia exchanged long-range strikes. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that its forces intercepted and downed 119 Ukrainian drones, mainly over Russia’s Bryansk border region.
As the Victory Day commemorations approach, the world watches closely to see whether this temporary pause could serve as a stepping stone towards broader peace efforts — or merely another fleeting lull in the ongoing conflict.