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Trump announces temporary truce and prisoner exchange
U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire, accompanied by the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side. Trump stated the pause in hostilities would include "a suspension of all kinetic activity" and credited himself with securing the deal.
Leaders confirm participation amid mutual accusations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian state media swiftly confirmed their countries' acceptance of the proposal. The announcement followed hours of reciprocal accusations: each side claimed the other had violated earlier, separate ceasefires declared for the Soviet Union's Victory Day commemorations.
Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, reported that approximately 20 drones were intercepted near the capital within the first two hours of the new truce.
Escalation fears ahead of Victory Day parade
Russia had previously announced an 8-9 May ceasefire for its Victory Day celebrations, while Kyiv had called for an open-ended truce beginning 6 May. The Russian defence ministry issued a stark warning, threatening a "retaliatory, massive missile strike" on central Kyiv if Moscow's parade in Red Square was targeted. Foreign diplomats were advised to leave the Ukrainian capital before 9 May.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, no military hardware will feature in the parade, and the Russian capital remains on high alert. Mobile internet access in Moscow and St Petersburg has been restricted for security reasons.
International dignitaries scale back attendance
This year's Victory Day events in Moscow will see significantly reduced foreign representation. Only leaders from Belarus, Malaysia, and Laos, along with a handful of other dignitaries, are expected to attend.
Ceasefire violations reported on both sides
On Friday, both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the battlefield ceasefire. The Russian defence ministry stated that Ukrainian forces had struck civilian targets in the Kursk and Belgorod regions near the conflict zone, prompting a "mirror response."
Ukrainian officials reported over 140 attacks on their positions and more than 850 drone strikes within the first few hours of the truce. Zelensky vowed that Ukraine would "act in kind."
Drone attacks also disrupted operations at 13 airports in southern Russia and targeted industrial sites in the Perm, Yaroslavl, and Rostov regions, as well as the Chechen capital, Grozny.
EU explores potential for negotiations with Russia
European Council President António Costa suggested in a Financial Times interview that the EU sees "potential" for negotiations with Russia to end the war, with Zelensky's backing. Costa indicated that discussions among the EU's 27 national leaders were underway to determine the best approach for future talks with Moscow.
"We cannot change the geography. We are in Europe, we are neighbours of Russia, and of course we need to talk with them about the future of the security architecture of Europe."
António Costa, European Council President
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that Russia is open to dialogue but will not initiate contact. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during a visit to Italy that Washington remains prepared to mediate but is cautious about investing time without tangible progress.
Zelensky expects U.S. envoys to visit Kyiv in the coming weeks.
Wildfire rages in Chornobyl exclusion zone
Ukrainian emergency teams are battling a rapidly spreading wildfire in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, an area still contaminated from the 1986 nuclear disaster. The blaze has already consumed approximately 11 square kilometres (4.2 square miles). Strong winds, dry conditions, and landmines from the ongoing conflict are hampering firefighting efforts.
Authorities report that radiation levels in the fire zone remain within normal ranges.
