Russia has not launched a major aerial or missile strike on Ukraine since May 9, the day a three-day ceasefire brokered by President Trump officially went into effect. The pause in large-scale bombardment marks a notable shift in a conflict where cities have regularly absorbed waves of drones and cruise missiles, even if the fighting along the ground hasn’t stopped for a second.
The ceasefire, running from May 9 through May 11, was announced after a conversation between Trump and Vladimir Putin. Its timing was no accident: May 9 is Victory Day in Russia, the country’s most symbolically charged holiday, and the truce gave Moscow a window to hold its Red Square celebrations without the awkward optics of Ukrainian drones overhead.
A ceasefire in name, a war in practice
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 51 combat engagements on May 9 alone, the very first day of the supposed truce.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense alleged nearly 9,000 violations by Ukraine. That figure included drone strikes and ground attacks, according to the MoD’s tally.
