On May 8, 2025, the situation between Ukraine and Russia has taken a complex turn amid a declared ceasefire by Russian President Vladimir Putin, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. While no recorded drone attacks were reported on Ukrainian territory, the Ukrainian military indicated that Russian forces conducted airstrikes in the Sumy region after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect.
According to Reuters, the absence of large-scale attacks on May 8 can be attributed to Putin's announcement of a three-day ceasefire. However, Ukrainian forces reported two strikes using guided aerial bombs in the Sumy region, suggesting that hostilities continued despite the declared truce. Ukraine has not officially joined the ceasefire, but the night of May 8 was notably quieter than the previous night, which had seen extensive drone activity.
Warnings of drone and missile attacks were issued in the Kursk and Ryazan regions, yet there were no reports of downed drones. Oleksiy Honcharenko, a deputy in the Verkhovna Rada from the European Solidarity party, stated, "Ukraine is officially silent but also adhering to the ceasefire." He later shared images of the aftermath of a missile strike on Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region, although some Ukrainian Telegram channels suggested that the missile was launched before the ceasefire began.
Putin's ceasefire announcement came on April 28, 2025, as part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine rejected the proposed three-day ceasefire on May 3, stating that if Russia is genuinely interested in a cessation of hostilities, it should support a proposal from the United States for a 30-day ceasefire.
The Ukrainian defense forces have been granted orders to open fire in response to any attacks from Russia during the so-called ceasefire. A brigade stationed in the Kherson region reported activity from enemy FPV drones since midnight, although no artillery strikes had been recorded at that time. They received instructions to return fire if provoked. Another unit confirmed this directive, stating that positional battles had not ceased since midnight, with Russian drones and artillery still active in the region.
In the Pokrovsk direction, over ten violations of the ceasefire regime by Russian troops were documented. The Ukrainian military reported artillery shelling and drone strikes during this period. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, indicated that Russian attacks would continue on May 8.
Despite the ceasefire, the Ukrainian military remains vigilant. They noted that the enemy has violated the ceasefire they themselves announced, particularly in the Kherson region. As one brigade stated, "We are responding to the violations of the ceasefire regime." This reflects a broader sentiment among Ukrainian forces that they must remain prepared for continued aggression.
On the Russian side, the Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire, suggesting that such actions demonstrate a lack of willingness to resolve the conflict peacefully. They claimed that "deliberate destructive actions by the Ukrainian side confirm the desire of the Kiev regime to prevent a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine." This statement underscores the ongoing tensions and mutual accusations between the two nations.
Putin's ceasefire, which is set to last from midnight on May 7 to midnight on May 10, was initially framed as a humanitarian measure. However, the lack of compliance from both sides raises questions about its effectiveness. The Kremlin had previously announced a shorter Easter truce in April, which lasted only 30 hours.
Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated that the proposal for a longer ceasefire remains on the table, emphasizing that it could provide a chance for diplomacy. He stated, "We do not reject this proposal, which may give a chance to diplomacy. But Moscow does not see an answer from Russia." This highlights the stark divide between the two nations regarding the terms of peace.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely. The White House has expressed support for a permanent ceasefire rather than a temporary one, reflecting a broader desire for stability in the region. The ongoing conflict has not only affected military personnel but has also led to significant disruptions in civilian life, including mass flight delays at Russian airports due to drone threats.
On May 7, reports indicated that Russian air defense forces destroyed a record number of UAVs—524 in total—along with several missiles and bombs. The Ministry of Defense did not specify the regions where these drones were shot down, but the impact on civilian aviation was substantial, with 350 flights affected and around 60,000 passengers stranded.
As the ceasefire unfolds, the situation remains fluid, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this temporary pause in hostilities can lead to a more lasting resolution or if it will merely serve as a brief respite in an ongoing conflict.
