A unilateral three-day ceasefire ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially taken effect, according to Russian state media. The truce is timed to align with Moscow’s annual World War II Victory Day commemorations, marking the 80th anniversary of what the Kremlin calls “the Great Victory.”
The ceasefire, which began at midnight Thursday (2100 GMT Wednesday), is scheduled to remain in place through the end of Saturday. While Russia claims the move is a humanitarian gesture, Ukraine has flatly rejected the truce, calling it political theatre rather than a genuine step toward peace.
“The ceasefire… on the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory has begun,” reported Russia’s state-run RIA news agency early Thursday. However, Kyiv has not only declined to participate in the truce but has also questioned Moscow’s credibility, citing past violations during similar pauses in fighting.
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Ukrainian officials are instead calling for a comprehensive, 30-day ceasefire—something Russia has so far refused to consider. Ukraine points to a 30-hour truce declared over the Easter holiday as an example of Moscow’s lack of sincerity, claiming Russia committed hundreds of violations during that short period.
Tensions flared in the hours leading up to the ceasefire’s start. Both sides exchanged a barrage of aerial attacks, with explosions prompting temporary airport closures in parts of Russia and resulting in the deaths of at least two people in Ukraine.
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Despite announcing the ceasefire, the Kremlin warned that Russian forces would respond “immediately” to any Ukrainian military actions. The message underscores the fragility of the truce and adds to doubts over whether the ceasefire will hold.
The announcement follows sustained pressure from the United States for Russia to end its three-year invasion of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has made repeated attempts to broker a lasting ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv since taking office but has so far failed to gain meaningful cooperation from the Kremlin.
In March, Russia rejected a joint proposal from the U.S. and Ukraine for an unconditional ceasefire. Since then, Putin has offered only symbolic gestures, like the current three-day truce, with little indication of a broader commitment to peace.
As the symbolic ceasefire unfolds during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, skepticism remains high. Ukraine, along with many of its Western allies, continues to view such unilateral moves by Moscow as strategic optics rather than steps toward a peaceful resolution.
With both sides bracing for continued hostilities after the ceasefire window closes, and little diplomatic progress being made, the path to peace in Ukraine remains as uncertain as ever.
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