Russia Declares Ceasefire to Observe WWII Victory as Ukraine Announces Its Own Pause in Fighting

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Head of the Republic of Mordovia Artyom Zdunov at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 4, 2026. Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via APRussia President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire from May 8 to May 9 to commemorate the country’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and threatened a missile strike on Ukraine if the victory celebrations were disrupted, its defense ministry announced May 4.“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the festive events,” Russia’s notice stated.