Russia's Defense Ministry Announces Mirror Response to Ceasefire Violations

The Russian Defense Ministry has announced retaliatory strikes in response to ongoing attacks by Ukrainian forces during the ceasefire period.

As of midnight on May 8 Moscow time, all Russian units had ceased military operations in the special operation zone while remaining in their positions. The Defense Ministry emphasized that this move was in accordance with President Vladimir Putin's order concerning the ceasefire declared for Victory Day.

At the same time, the ministry accused the Ukrainian armed forces of continuing assaults on border areas and Russian positions.

According to the statement, since the start of the unilateral ceasefire, the Ukrainian side has shelled the positions of the Russian armed forces 153 times with artillery, tanks, and multiple launch rocket systems. “They have also delivered 887 strikes using unmanned aerial vehicles,” the ministry added.

“Under these circumstances, the Russian armed forces mirrored their response to the ceasefire violations. They have delivered retaliatory strikes to fire positions... and hit command points and drone launch sites,” the ministry stated.

The Russian Defense Ministry had announced that the ceasefire was in effect on May 8 and 9. It was warned that in the event of potential attacks during the parade in Red Square, the Russian side “would deliver a retaliatory, mass missile strike on central Kyiv.”

In response, Volodymyr Zelensky declared a silence regime from midnight on May 5 to midnight on May 6. Russia had urged residents and diplomats in Kyiv to evacuate due to the risk of potential strikes.