We do not recommend being in Moscow: Zelenskyy issues warning ahead of May 9
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the situation ahead of May 9, thanked Ukraine’s Defense Forces for the results of the long-range strikes on targets inside Russia and highlighted strikes on key facilities deep within the country.
Strikes on Russian targets ahead of May 9
According to the President, Ukrainian forces carried out a series of strikes on Russian targets, including facilities in the Perm region and near the Caspian Sea.
Among the targets hit, Zelenskyy mentioned a missile ship capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, as well as oil infrastructure facilities located far from Ukraine’s border.
He also highlighted successful strikes in the Bryansk direction, Tuapse, and other strategically important facilities of Russia’s oil industry.
The Russians want Ukraine’s permission to hold their parade – so they can safely take to the square for an hour once a year, and then go back to killing *our* people and waging war. The Russians are already talking about strikes after May 9. A strange and certainly twisted logic… pic.twitter.com/AGAdYIBwbE
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 7, 2026
Ceasefire and Moscow’s position
The President recalled that Ukraine had proposed a ceasefire starting on May 6, but Russia responded with new attacks and threats.
According to Zelenskyy, Moscow is primarily focused on ensuring a ceasefire during the May 9 Victory Day events and may resume active military operations afterward. He also noted that statements about possible strikes after that date are already being made.
Warning ahead of May 9
Zelenskyy described the rhetoric coming from Russia’s leadership as "twisted logic" and noted that several countries close to Moscow plan to send representatives to the Victory Day events.
In that context, he stated: "An odd desire at a time like this. We do not recommend it," emphasizing the security risks.
Earlier, the European Union said it does not plan to reduce the presence of its diplomatic missions in Kyiv despite Russian calls for foreign embassies to evacuate staff ahead of May 9.
