Putin wants to celebrate Victory Day in peace, announces two-day ceasefire with Ukraine

(Patria) - Russian President Vladimir Putin today declared a two-day ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8 and 9, on the occasion of the anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II.

The Russian Ministry of Defense expects the Ukrainian side to follow their example and warns that they will launch a massive missile attack on Kyiv if Ukraine attempts to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations.

"Despite the capabilities at our disposal, Russia has previously refrained from such actions for humanitarian reasons," the statement said.

The Ministry added that it is warning "the civilian population of Kyiv and the staff of foreign diplomatic missions to leave the city in a timely manner."

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced at the end of April that this year's Victory Day parade on May 9 would be held without tanks and missiles due to concerns about possible Ukrainian drone attacks.

The Mayor of Moscow announced earlier today that a Ukrainian drone hit a residential building near the center of Moscow, a few days before the Victory Day military parade. It turned out that the drone hit a luxury skyscraper.

Although Russia often reports on Ukrainian drone attacks in the wider Moscow area, they usually target airports, military facilities, and suburbs.

Civilian infrastructure in the capital has rarely been damaged, and most drones have been intercepted, according to official Moscow.