On 28 April 2025, russia's President Vladimir Putin unilaterally announced a full ceasefire in russia's war in Ukraine, to cover the full 72-hour period of May 8, 9 and 10. This coincides with Victory Day on May 9, russia's commemoration of victory in the Second World War.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for an "immediate, full, and unconditional" ceasefire lasting "at least 30 days" in response, according to the UK Defense Intelligence.
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As with Vladimir Putin's unilateral 30-hour Easter ceasefire, this announcement is almost certainly intended to demonstrate a constructive approach in ongoing talks, without incurring significant costs to russia's battlefield position. Vladimir Putin also likely seeks to reduce the potential for Ukrainian strikes to affect Victory Day commemorations.
Since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Victory Day parades have been cancelled in multiple russian cities, primarily those cities in regions that border Ukraine.
As Defense Express previously reported, on Saturday, April 19, 2025, russian President Vladimir Putin publicly announced a unilateral 30-hour ceasefire based on claimed humanitarian considerations, which started at 18:00 Moscow/Kyiv time and ended at midnight Easter Sunday. Vladimir Putin's announcement was almost certainly intended to demonstrate a constructive approach in ongoing talks, without incurring significant costs to russia's battlefield position.
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