Overview
- Russia's Defense Ministry announced Monday a two-day pause for May 8–9 tied to Victory Day and warned of a massive missile strike on central Kyiv, urging civilians and diplomats to leave the city.
- President Volodymyr Zelenski said Ukraine would start a ceasefire at 00:00 on the night of May 5–6 and asked Russia to follow, leaving the end open and creating overlap with Moscow's dates.
- Moscow plans Victory Day events without heavy military equipment for security reasons, reflecting concern that drones could target Red Square.
- Fighting continued Monday with Russian missiles hitting Merefa near Kharkiv, killing at least seven and injuring dozens, according to Ukrainian officials.
- Cross-border strikes persisted as Ukrainian drones reached deep into Russia, including a hit on a Moscow high-rise about 10 kilometers from the Kremlin, confirmed by Mayor Sergey Sobyanin.