On May 9, 2026, Russia and Ukraine announced a three-day ceasefire, a development mediated by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire is slated to last from May 9 to May 11, amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the protracted conflict that has lasted over four years. Trump shared the details on his platform, Truth Social, highlighting that the truce includes a complete suspension of all military activities and a significant prisoner exchange of 1,000 individuals from each side.

Trump expressed gratitude for the agreement reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, indicating optimism that this ceasefire could mark a turning point in the lengthy and deadly war. The announcement coincided with continuous diplomatic discussions aimed at bringing an end to the hostilities, which have resulted in severe humanitarian crises.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy confirmed the ceasefire in a Telegram update, acknowledging that the negotiations were facilitated by American intermediaries. He underscored that humanitarian considerations were paramount in these discussions, emphasising the need to address the welfare of affected individuals amidst the ongoing conflict.

Prisoner Exchange and Symbolic Acts

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Zelenskiy noted that the prisoner exchange had been formally accepted, with both sides agreeing to swap 1,000 prisoners. In a symbolic statement reflecting goodwill, Zelenskiy issued a decree allowing Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade to proceed unimpeded, asserting that Ukrainian forces would refrain from targeting Moscow’s Red Square during the event. The gesture aimed to alleviate tensions surrounding the significant national holiday in Russia.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Russia was committed to the ceasefire initiative, revealing that the agreement was achieved during discussions with the US administration. This response comes despite previous claims from both nations of violations pertaining to unilateral truces that were announced earlier in the week.

Earlier, President Putin had declared a temporary two-day ceasefire to coincide with the Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in WWII. Ukraine dismissed this ceasefire as insufficient, while proposing an indefinite truce, which Moscow declined.

Continuous Hostilities Amidst Diplomatic Efforts

Despite the ceasefire declaration, fighting continued into the early hours, with Russian forces claiming to have downed 264 Ukrainian drones. Concurrently, official sources reported Ukrainian strikes on Moscow and the Perm region. Reports indicated that Ukraine targeted a Russian oil refinery in Perm for the second consecutive day, and also struck another oil facility in Yaroslavl.

Zelenskiy noted that Russian forces remained active in their assaults on Ukrainian positions, despite the apparent diplomatic progress being made. Russia has cautioned that any attempts by Ukraine to disrupt the Victory Day parade could lead to severe retaliatory measures, including large-scale missile strikes on Kyiv.

In light of potential escalations, Moscow has reportedly advised diplomats to evacuate from the Ukrainian capital, should confrontations arise. As one of Russia’s most significant national holidays, Victory Day commemorates the tremendous loss of life suffered by the Soviet Union, estimated at roughly 27 million, during World War II.

This year’s celebrations are expected to proceed with heightened security measures, although there will reportedly be no displays of military hardware at the event. Since the onset of hostilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the conflict has now extended beyond four years, with Russian forces currently controlling approximately 19.4 per cent of Ukrainian territory. Analysts suggest that Moscow’s territorial advances have significantly slowed in recent months.

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