Russia’s Putin orders 72-hour Ukraine ceasefire in May to mark Victory Day

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a surprise three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8-10, coinciding with Moscow’s second world war Victory Day commemorations, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Moscow said it expected Kyiv to issue a similar order, and that it stood ready to respond to any violations of the possible halt in fighting.

Putin made a similar order to stop combat over Easter – a truce that both sides accused the other of violating hundreds of times, but did lead to a temporary reduction in fighting.

“The Russian side is declaring a ceasefire during the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11. All combat operations will be suspended during this period,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

“Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example. In the event of violations of the truce by the Ukrainian side, the Russian armed forces will give an adequate and effective response,” it added.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky branded the truce an “attempt at manipulation”.