MOSCOW, May 4 – On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary halt to military operations against Ukraine scheduled for May 8-9, coinciding with commemorations marking the end of World War II and Nazi Germany’s defeat, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.
The Defense Ministry stated it expects Ukrainian forces to observe the same pause in fighting, while issuing a stern warning about potential consequences. Officials threatened to launch extensive missile attacks targeting central Kyiv should Ukraine attempt to interfere with Victory Day commemorative events.
“Despite the capabilities at our disposal, Russia has previously refrained from such actions on humanitarian grounds,” the ministry declared in an official statement, while emphasizing readiness to respond if the temporary truce is violated.
The ministry also issued evacuation advisories, stating: “We are warning the civilian population of Kyiv and staff at foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in a timely manner.”
