Despite agreements on a three-day ceasefire, Russia launched a missile and drone attack against Ukraine on May 9. The ceasefire is supposed to last until May 11.
Details
During the night of May 9, the Russian army attacked Ukraine with drones and an Iskander missile despite the beginning of the three-day ceasefire. The Ukrainian Air Force reported the attack. Russia launched 43 UAVs of various types, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and Parodiya decoy drones.
Missile strikes and hits from nine attack drones were recorded at six locations. Debris also fell at two separate sites. As of 8:00 a.m., the Ukrainian Air Force reported that they shot down or suppressed 34 Russian drones.
Three-Day Ceasefire
On May 8, Donald Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine had reached an agreement on a three-day ceasefire. The ceasefire is expected to last from May 9 through May 11 inclusive. During this period, both sides are to halt combat operations and conduct a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. The previous exchange of this scale took place on May 23–25 last year.
The U.S. president stated that he had initiated the ceasefire. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin agreed to it. Both Kyiv and Moscow confirmed the terms.
On May 8, Zelenskyy issued a decree “On Holding a Parade in Moscow,” in which the Ukrainian side allowed Russia to hold the May 9 parade on Red Square. The decree stated that Russia can hold the parade for humanitarian purposes.
“For the duration of the parade (from 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time on May 9, 2026), the territorial square of Red Square shall be excluded from the deployment plan of Ukrainian weaponry,” the decree stated.
Dmitry Peskov commented on the decree, calling it a mockery of Victory Day and a foolish joke. He said Russia “does not need anyone’s permission.” Yury Ushakov, Putin’s aid, also confirmed the ceasefire agreements.
“The main thing that was agreed to take place during the truce period – from May 9 to 11 inclusive – was the exchange of prisoners of 1,000 people on each side”, – Ushakov said.
Previous Ceasefire
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense had announced a unilateral ceasefire in honor of Victory Day. It was supposed to take effect from midnight on May 8. The Ukrainian side stated it would respond symmetrically to Russian actions. Previously, Russia failed to observe the ceasefire proposed by Ukraine on May 6.
During the night of May 8, both sides carried out drone attacks. In Russia, Rostov-on-Don, Grozny, and Perm came under attack. Russian forces also continued assault operations along the front line, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Kremlin political strategists had developed a special information campaign aimed at convincing Russian society to perceive a possible peace agreement with Ukraine as a Russian “victory.”
