Russia issues threat to Ukraine over Victory Day commemorations

WorldPolitics
7 May 2026 • 4:32 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Russia issues threat to Ukraine over Victory Day commemorations

  • Russia has threatened to strike foreign embassies in Kyiv if Ukrainian forces attempt to disrupt Moscow’s upcoming Victory Day commemorations.
  • This warning follows an earlier vow by the Russian military to launch mass attacks on Kyiv if it failed to observe Russia's unilateral ceasefire scheduled for 8 and 9 May.
  • Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, advised diplomatic missions to evacuate their personnel from Kyiv, urging countries to take this statement with "utmost responsibility".
  • Ukraine reported that Russia had violated its own unilateral ceasefire a significant 1,820 times by Wednesday morning.
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned Russia's continued attacks as an "obvious spurning" of a peace opportunity offered by Kyiv, stating Ukraine would determine its "entirely justified responses".

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