Unilateral Ceasefires Declared by Russia and Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine have each declared unilateral ceasefires starting this week, coinciding with Russia's upcoming commemorations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany on Saturday, 9 May.
Russia announced it would observe a ceasefire on 8 and 9 May, warning of a "massive missile strike" on central Kyiv if Ukraine violates the truce. In contrast, Kyiv declared an open-ended ceasefire beginning at midnight on 6 May, stating that Ukraine would act "symmetrically" from that time forward.
Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, commented on the ceasefire, saying:
"If the ceasefire announced by the Ukrainian president was reciprocated, we will continue to observe it... The next move is Russia's."
Casualties Amid Ceasefire Announcements
Shortly after the ceasefire declarations, combined missile and drone strikes across Ukraine overnight resulted in five fatalities and dozens of injuries. In Russia, authorities in the Chuvash Republic reported that a drone attack on Tuesday morning killed two people and injured 32 others.
These ceasefires appear to be unilateral, as the two sides have not agreed on terms, duration, or monitoring mechanisms.
Zelensky's Call for Diplomacy and Criticism of Russian Actions
Zelensky urged Russia to cease hostilities and engage in genuine diplomacy, stating:
"We have made our proposal," Zelensky said, urging Russia to lay down arms "and move to real diplomacy".
"It's utter cynicism to ask for silence to hold propaganda celebrations and to launch such missile-drone attacks every day beforehand," he added.
Ukraine's earlier, open-ended truce likely aims to demonstrate Kyiv's willingness to initiate an immediate and lasting ceasefire, placing responsibility for any violations on Russia.
"We believe that human life is of incomparably greater value than the 'celebration' of any anniversary," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Territory
Prior to its own midnight ceasefire on Wednesday (Tuesday 22:00 GMT), Ukraine launched a series of aerial attacks on Russian targets, including an industrial area in Kirishi in the Leningrad region and a military components factory in Cheboksary, Chuvash Republic.
Zelensky noted that domestically-produced Flamingo cruise missiles were used to strike the Cheboksary factory, located approximately 1,500 km (930 miles) from the front line. An unverified nighttime video showed a fast-moving object followed by a large explosion.
The Russian defence ministry later confirmed it had intercepted six Ukrainian Flamingo missiles and shot down 601 drones.
Security Measures and Disruptions in Russia
On Tuesday morning, several airports across Russia were temporarily closed. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that multiple drones had been downed near the capital.
The Kremlin has exhibited signs of apprehension ahead of Victory Day celebrations. The 9 May events, which commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, have grown in scale and grandeur since Vladimir Putin's early 2000s leadership.
However, this year, the Kremlin stated that the main event—a grand military parade on Red Square—would be scaled down due to the "terrorist threat" posed by Ukraine, with no heavy military hardware displayed. Residents of Moscow were also warned that mobile internet access might be disrupted or cut off for several days leading up to 9 May.
Zelensky remarked on Russia's inability to hold the parade without Ukraine's goodwill to observe a ceasefire, stating:
"The fact Russia felt it couldn't hold a parade in Moscow without the goodwill of Ukraine to observe a ceasefire means that it is time for Russian leaders to take steps to end their war."
Escalation of Ukrainian Drone Attacks
In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified deep-strike drone attacks on Russian territory, successfully targeting energy facilities and oil refineries, thereby disrupting the Russian oil trade. Ukrainian drones have demonstrated the capability to penetrate deep into Russia, often evading air defences. On Monday morning, one drone struck a high-rise building in central Moscow.
Continued Russian Strikes on Ukraine
Meanwhile, Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities persist, causing civilian casualties across the country. Thousands have died since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
