Will Ukraine carry out strikes outside Moscow parade in Russia: Source explains
Illustrative photo: The Kremlin received Ukraine’s approval to hold the parade (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has excluded the location of the parade in Moscow from Ukraine’s strike plans. However, regarding the rest of the Russian territory, Ukraine will act in a reciprocal manner, according to a source in the government.
"We will act in a reciprocal manner. They don’t fire — we don’t fire. They don’t launch missiles — we don’t launch them," said an interlocutor of RBC-Ukraine.
According to him, Ukraine allowed Russia to hold the May 9 parade in "silence" in exchange for the return of 1,000 Ukrainians from captivity.
Ceasefire and prisoner exchange
US President Donald Trump announced on the evening of May 8 a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia from May 9 to May 11. He also said that a prisoner exchange in a 1,000-for-1,000 format would take place during the ceasefire.
Later, President Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine had received requests and signals regarding the parade in Moscow and agreed to a ceasefire. In addition, Zelenskyy issued a decree allowing the parade to be held in Moscow.
"For the duration of the parade (from 10:00 AM Kyiv time on May 9, 2026), the Red Square area is excluded from the plan for the use of Ukrainian weapons," the document says.
Russia also confirmed its agreement to the ceasefire and exchange. This was reported in the evening by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
The Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces previously named more effective targets for Ukrainian strikes instead of the parade in Moscow.
