May 6, 2026
Russia–Ukraine Victory Day truce collapses as Moscow and Kyiv trade accusations of violations
On May 4, Russia and Ukraine announced they would temporarily halt fighting — but without coordinating their decisions. Russia’s Defense Ministry declared a temporary truce in honor of Victory Day, to run from May 8 through 9. President Zelensky responded by announcing that Ukraine was declaring its own truce earlier, beginning at midnight on May 6. But the fighting has not stopped, and Ukraine is accusing Russia of violating its terms and is effectively signaling that there will be no truce on May 9. Here is how events unfolded.
TL;DR
- Russia and Ukraine announced separate Victory Day truces without coordination.
- Russia's truce was set for May 8-9; Ukraine's began May 6.
- Ukraine accused Russia of violating its truce with drone strikes shortly after it began.
- Ukraine signaled it would not observe its own truce on May 9 due to alleged Russian violations and aggression.
- Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump reportedly discussed a truce proposal, with conflicting accounts of its origin.
- Ukraine expressed skepticism about Russia's commitment to a truce, suggesting Russia was more concerned with its Moscow parade than peace.