Vladimir Putin. Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / AP
On the night of 8 May, Russia announced the start of the so-called ceasefire with Ukraine for three days – until 11 May inclusive. Russian media reported this with reference to sources in the Russian Ministry of Defence.
The move is being presented as a “humanitarian initiative” to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II. However, experts see it primarily as an attempt to ensure the unhindered holding of the parade on Red Square on 9 May.
Ukraine records attacks even on the night before the “ceasefire”
Despite the official statement by the Kremlin, Russian aviation activity was recorded as early as 7 May at 23:01, i.e. just an hour before the start of the declared truce. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the enemy launched guided bomb attacks in the Sumy region.
This demonstrates the unreliability and inconsistency of Moscow’s actions, which continues to violate its own declared “regime of silence”.
Undercover manipulation
The Kremlin presents this “gesture” as a manifestation of care and humanism, but, according to analysts, the real goal is to provide an image for a military parade. Such ceasefires are unverified, uncoordinated and not backed by real guarantees, which allows Russia to violate them at any time.
The Ukrainian authorities have not officially commented on the “truce”, but President Zelenskyy and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have repeatedly stressed that they do not trust the “peace initiatives” of the aggressor state without clear conditions, international control and security for the civilian population.
