Russia announces ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8–10

The Russian Ministry of Defense, citing an order from President Vladimir Putin, has declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine starting at midnight on May 8 and lasting through May 10 to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

While Moscow expressed hope that Kyiv would follow suit, the announcement was accompanied by a stern warning of a "massive retaliatory strike" on the center of Kyiv should the celebrations be disrupted by Ukrainian military action.

Read more: Russia orders evacuation of Kyiv diplomats; warns of "inevitable" strikes