Overview
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry told foreign embassies in Kyiv to prepare evacuations and linked the notice to possible strikes on the city if Moscow is attacked during Victory Day events.
- President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8–9 tied to the holiday, yet officials warned they would hit central Kyiv if strikes target Moscow or the parade.
- Ukraine reported new Russian drone and missile attacks on frontline and civilian areas, including a strike on a Sumy kindergarten that killed two adults, and said it has no reason to honor Russia’s pause.
- Moscow tightened security for the holiday, posting “No Drone Zone” signs, scaling back the celebration with no military vehicles on Red Square, and briefly shutting airports and internet access.
- A Ukrainian Telegram channel claimed a strike on a Russian logistics site near Naro-Fominsk outside Moscow, a report not independently verified that underscores how fast claims can raise the risk of miscalculation.