Russian President Vladimir Putin declares May 8-9 ceasefire with Ukraine to mark WWII anniversary, Defence Ministry says

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a two-day ceasefire in ⁠the conflict with Ukraine on ⁠May 8-9 to mark ‌the anniversary ​of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two, Russia's Defence Ministry said.

The ​ministry added ⁠that it counted on the Ukrainian side to follow suit and that Russia ⁠would launch ‌a massive retaliatory missile strike on the centre ‌of Kyiv if Ukraine attempted ⁠to disrupt Victory Day celebrations.

"Despite the capabilities at ‌our disposal, Russia ‌has previously refrained from such ‌actions on humanitarian grounds," it ‌said in a statement, adding however that it was ready ⁠to act if ⁠the ceasefire was not respected.

"We are warning the civilian population of Kyiv and staff at foreign diplomatic missions of the need ​to leave the city ​in a timely ​manner," it said. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing ​by Aidan Lewis and Susan Fenton)