On 4/5, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on its social media that a ceasefire was issued for 8-9/5, by decision of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin. "We hope the Ukrainian side will do the same," the ministry stated.

The dates 8-9/5 mark Moscow's 81st Victory Day celebration in World War II. The ministry warned that if Ukraine attempts to disrupt the event, Russia would launch a large-scale retaliatory missile attack on central Kiev.

"We recommend that civilians and foreign diplomatic staff promptly leave Kiev," the statement added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. *Photo: NBC News*

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the implementation of a ceasefire for Moscow's celebration "not serious." He suggested Russia fears Ukrainian drones "buzzing over Red Square."

"As of today, no official call for a cessation of hostilities has been sent to Ukraine, unlike what is being declared on Russian social media," Zelensky wrote on X. He simultaneously announced Ukraine's own ceasefire for two days on 5-6/5.

The Ukrainian leader then traveled to Bahrain, a Gulf nation, for talks on security cooperation, according to a source within the Ukrainian delegation who spoke to AFP.

Russian-controlled territory. *Graphic: Telegraph*

Data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicates Russia lost control of about 120 km2 of land between March and April. The pace of Russia's advance has slowed since late 2025, attributed by AFP to communication issues within the Russian military combined with Ukrainian counter-attacks. These factors enabled Kyiv to achieve local breakthroughs in the southeast.

However, the area reclaimed by the Ukrainian military is insignificant, accounting for only 0,02% of the country's territory, according to ISW data. Russia currently controls over 19% of Ukraine's territory, with most of it gained in the first weeks of the 2022 war. About 7%, including Crimea and areas in the Donbass region, were held by Russia or pro-Russian separatists before Moscow launched its operation.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP)