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Russia extended its 'Victory Day truce' to May 8-9, while Ukraine says that no proposals received
ussian President Vladimir Putin has announced a two-day “Victory Day ceasefire” for May 8–9, according to a statement released by Russia’s Defense Ministry on May 4. The ministry said it hopes “the Ukrainian side will follow this example.” President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier the same day that Ukraine had received no official ceasefire proposals, contrasting Russia’s declarations with its continued attacks on Ukrainian cities. “This is Russia’s war against Ukraine. If the U.S. and Russia are negotiating, it is important that our side knows what they are talking about,” Zelensky said. He also expressed skepticism about Moscow’s intentions, pointing to recent deadly Russian strikes on Merefa in Kharkiv Oblast and the city of Dnipro as evidence that Russia is not genuinely seeking to halt hostilities.
Putin first proposed a one-day ceasefire on May 9 — the day Russia celebrates Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet victory in World War II — during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on April 29. Amid fears of possible Ukrainian attacks, Moscow has reportedly scaled back its traditional Victory Day military parade, which is typically used to showcase Russian military strength. Russia’s Defense Ministry warned on May 4 that if Ukraine attempts to strike Moscow during the celebrations, Russia would respond with a “massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv.” The ministry also warned civilians in Kyiv and foreign diplomatic personnel to leave the city “in a timely manner” in such a scenario. Throughout the full-scale war, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted residential areas in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, causing thousands of civilian casualties.
The Russian Defense Ministry additionally accused Zelensky of threatening Moscow during remarks at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan. However, Zelensky did not directly threaten a strike, saying only that Russia would avoid displaying military equipment at the parade because it “fears drones may buzz over Red Square.” While rejecting Kyiv’s calls for a full unconditional ceasefire, Putin has repeatedly proposed temporary and limited truces during the war. Ukraine says Russia violated previous ceasefires numerous times, including more than 400 violations recorded during the Easter truce announced by Moscow. Kyiv continues to call for a full and unconditional ceasefire, a proposal the Kremlin has so far rejected.
Russian drones strike the Kernel vegetable oil terminal in Chornomorsk
Russian drones attacked port infrastructure in Chornomorsk, Odesa Oblast, overnight on May 2–3, damaging a vegetable oil transshipment terminal owned by Kernel, Ukraine’s largest sunflower oil producer. The information was disclosed in a company press release dated May 4 and obtained by Ekonomichna Pravda.
According to Kernel, direct drone strikes destroyed and damaged several storage tanks, resulting in the leak of more than 1,100 tonnes of vegetable oil products. The company stressed that the leaked oil did not enter the Black Sea.
A fire broke out at part of the production facilities following the attack but was later extinguished. Drone debris and flames also damaged equipment, office premises, logistics infrastructure, and four railway tank cars.
Due to the scale of the destruction, the terminal has temporarily suspended the intake and shipment of products. One employee was injured in the attack and remains in moderate condition, though his life is not in danger.
Kernel said it is continuing to fulfil export contracts by using partner port terminals in Odesa and along the Danube River, as well as rail transport alternatives.
Canada to contribute US$200m to arms procurement programme for Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Canada will contribute an additional US$200 million to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a program that allows Ukraine’s allies to purchase US-made weapons and military equipment for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy shared the announcement on X following a Washington-format meeting held on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, European Pravda reported.
According to Zelensky, the talks focused heavily on strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. Participants discussed expanding the production of European-made air defence systems and missiles, supporting the PURL initiative, and developing Europe’s own anti-ballistic defence capabilities.
“I thank Canada for a new contribution to the PURL initiative. Prior to the meeting, Mark Carney announced an additional US$200 million,” Zelensky said.
The PURL initiative is designed to help coordinate and accelerate the procurement of urgently needed US weapons systems and ammunition for Ukraine through contributions from partner countries.
Russia attackув Ukraine with Iskander ballistic missiles and 88 UAVs in one day; air defence downed 70 UAVs, hits recorded
Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack against Ukraine on May 4, using an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 88 drones of various types, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.
According to the military, the assault lasted from 08:30 to 18:30 and involved Shahed loitering munitions, including jet-powered variants, as well as Gerbera, Italmas and Parodiya decoy drones.
Ukraine’s Air Force said fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups were all involved in repelling the attack.
As of 18:30, Ukrainian air defence had destroyed or electronically jammed 70 Russian drones over eastern, northern and southern regions of the country.
At the same time, the Iskander-M ballistic missile and 14 attack drones managed to hit their targets, according to preliminary information released by the Air Force.
The military also warned that the attack was still ongoing, with several Russian drones remaining in Ukrainian airspace as of the evening of May 4.
Zelensky announces a ceasefire starting from midnight on 6 May
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will introduce a ceasefire starting from 00:00 on the night of 5-6 May.
In a statement posted on X, Zelensky said that as of 4 May, Ukraine had received “no official appeal” regarding the details of a proposed halt in hostilities that has been discussed in Russian social media.
The president stressed that human life is far more important than commemorative events or military parades.
“In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of 5-6 May. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect. We will act reciprocally starting from that moment,” Zelensky said.
He also called on Russia’s leadership to take genuine steps toward ending the war launched against Ukraine.
Zelensky added that, according to Russia’s own statements, the successful holding of the Victory Day parade in Moscow now depends on “Ukraine’s goodwill.” Victory Day, celebrated on 9 May, commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.