'Regime Of Silence': Ukraine Will Begin Ceasefire Tomorrow Night, Says Zelensky

Last Updated:May 05, 2026, 02:58 IST

Volodymyr Zelensky announces a ceasefire from midnight May 5 to 6, mirroring Vladimir Putin’s May 8 to 9 truce, aiming for de-escalation despite no formal deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday announced a ceasefire to begin from midnight on the night of May 5–6, positioning it as a response to Russia’s proposed truce around its May 9 Victory Day celebrations.

Zelensky said Ukraine would observe a “regime of silence" starting at 00:00, adding that the decision was driven by humanitarian considerations and the need to protect civilian lives.

“In ⁠this regard, we announce a regime of silence starting from 00.00 ​on ​the ⁠night of May 5 to May ​6," he wrote on Telegram. He also indicated that Kyiv would act “symmetrically" depending on Russia’s actions, leaving the duration of the ceasefire open-ended.

The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a separate two-day ceasefire for May 8–9 to coincide with Victory Day, one of Russia’s most important national events marking the Soviet victory in World War II.

Zelensky criticised the lack of coordination from Moscow, noting that Russia had not responded to earlier Ukrainian proposals for a broader ceasefire. He said Ukraine’s step was aimed at creating conditions for de-escalation, and signalled readiness to extend the pause if Russia reciprocates.

The announcements come amid heightened tensions, with both sides intensifying strikes in recent days, including Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia and continued missile and drone barrages on Ukrainian cities.

While the overlapping ceasefire timelines have raised hopes of a temporary pause in fighting, there is no formal agreement between the two sides, and previous short-term truces in the conflict have often been marked by mutual accusations of violations.

News world 'Regime Of Silence': Ukraine Will Begin Ceasefire Tomorrow Night, Says Zelensky

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