Russia has ordered a two-day ceasefire in the war against Ukraine to coincide with Victory Day, which marks the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War 2.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Monday that this would apply on May 8 and 9, following an order from President Vladimir Putin, adding that Moscow expects the Ukrainian side to observe the truce.

“If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv,” the defence ministry said in a statement on Kremlin-backed messaging service MAX.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will observe its own truce with Russia on May 5 and 6.

Zelensky had earlier told journalists that Kyiv had not received any official proposals for a possible ceasefire over the period.

Putin and US President Donald Trump had discussed a possible ceasefire over the holiday during a telephone call at the end of April, according to both sides.