<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/russia" rel="" target="" title="Russia"><span>Russia</span></a><span> has threatened to release a "massive military strike" in the centre of Ukraine's capital if the nation breaches two separate ceasefires put in place by both countries.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Earlier this week, Russia and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/ukraine" rel="" target="" title="Ukraine"><span>Ukraine</span></a><span> declared unilateral pauses in their four-year war, which has become the bloodiest conflict in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/europe" rel="" target="" title="Europe"><span>Europe</span></a><span> since </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world-war-ii" rel="" target="" title="World War II"><span>World War II</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Russia announced on social media that the ceasefire declared by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/vladimir-putin-in-fear-of-coup-assassination-russia-ukraine-war-setbacks/ab462f98-64d7-473e-8131-6e6691c61f1e" rel="" target="" title="President Vladimir Putin"><span>President Vladimir Putin</span></a><span> would extend from May 8 to May 9, coinciding with the nation's annual </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/military" rel="" target="" title="military"><span>military</span></a><span> parade in Moscow marking Victory Day.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-us-military-rejects-claims-iran-struck-us-navy-vessel/2a11da57-1c4c-4b7d-a37e-e7aa01e8b803" target="" title="US claims major breakthrough on key oil route after Trump's orders"><strong><span>US claims major breakthrough on key oil route after Trump's orders</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ukrainian President </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/volodymyr-zelenskyy" rel="" target="" title="Volodymyr Zelenskyy"><span>Volodymyr Zelenskyy</span></a><span> said shortly after that he had not received an official notice from Russia, but that Ukraine would observe a separate ceasefire from May 5 to May 6.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/social-media" rel="" target="" title="social media"><span>social media</span></a><span>," Zelenskyy wrote.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/leave-the-city-russia-threatens-to-unleash-massive-missile-strike-on-centre-of-ukraine/92d0fdba-d3da-490f-b056-8dd17e05b767" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He added that "human life is incomparably more valuable than the 'celebration' of any anniversary".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Russian Defence Ministry said in the lead-up to the parade that it would take measures to ensure the event's safety.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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," it said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/vladimir-putin-in-fear-of-coup-assassination-russia-ukraine-war-setbacks/ab462f98-64d7-473e-8131-6e6691c61f1e"><strong><span>Putin's fears of coup ramp up amid Russia's backslide in Ukraine</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Russia called the ceasefire a precautionary measure given the threat of Ukrainian strikes during the Victory Day anniversary.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Putin said he first suggested a ceasefire last week in a call with US President Donald Trump.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ukraine said it would await details from the US, and would support a lasting ceasefire and peace settlement between the two nations backed by security guarantees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Zelenskyy said earlier this week in a meeting with European Union leaders that Russia's decision not to display military equipment at the parade was due to fear of Ukraine's drones and proof of the nation's growing weakness.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy. And we must push him toward diplomacy," Zelenskyy said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Russia has announced a May 9 parade in Moscow without military equipment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment – and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is telling. It shows they are not strong now," Zelenskyy said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>