On May 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia, effective from midnight on May 5. This announcement comes as both nations navigate escalating tensions surrounding military actions and public celebrations.
Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian side is prepared to ensure a quiet period, stating, “It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps towards ending their war.” He noted that there had been no official communication from Russia regarding a ceasefire, despite claims circulating on Russian social media.
Earlier on the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced a unilateral decision by President Vladimir Putin to declare a ceasefire on May 8 and 9. The ministry expressed hope that Ukraine would follow suit, although no formal agreements had been proposed to Kyiv.
In a contrasting tone, the Russian military threatened to conduct a “massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv” in response to perceived efforts by Ukraine to disrupt the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Despite Russia’s assertion of a ceasefire on May 9, Zelensky clarified that he supports a ceasefire that extends beyond a mere few hours for ceremonial purposes. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the planned Victory Day parade would proceed, albeit in a reduced format without military hardware.
On the night of May 4, Moscow reported a drone attack, with one drone breaching air defense systems and striking a residential building on Mosfilmovskaya Street, approximately six kilometers from the Kremlin. The Ukrainian side has not confirmed involvement in this incident. The previous night, drones targeted several regions in Russia, including Moscow and Leningrad oblasts.
As Moscow prepares for the parade, residents have been warned about potential communication disruptions in the coming days. Meanwhile, the ongoing escalation of the situation in the Middle East has led to the postponement of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, which had been scheduled for January and February. Zelensky has indicated that he does not view these negotiations as having reached a deadlock.
The U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) recently stated that significant Russian advances on the battlefield are not inevitable, and the realities of the conflict as of late March 2026 suggest that a complete victory for Russia is unlikely. ISW analysts also speculate that General Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, may be attempting to obscure the lack of progress in Russia’s spring-summer offensive.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi has reported that Russia is experiencing substantial losses but remains committed to its offensive plans.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a ceasefire commencing on May 5, amid heightened tensions with Russia. The situation remains complex, with both sides making conflicting statements regarding military actions and negotiations.