May 9th is celebrated in Russia as Victory Day — the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. And each year, an enormous parade is held in Moscow in which the latest and greatest examples of Russian military might are hauled out and paraded through Red Square.

But this year, Vladimir Putin — who is rumored to be spending a great deal of time hiding out in bunkers in various undisclosed locations — is facing a dual dilemma: the physical danger of Ukraine’s increasing drone attacks, some of which have targeted the Moscow area; and the growing unpopularity among his own people of his war against Ukraine, causing unrest and concerns that a popular uprising may be in the offing.

An imminent coup or revolution may or may not be a reality; but there is no doubt that the drone attacks are very real. In fact, one struck a high-rise apartment building just six kilometers (about four miles) from the Kremlin on May 4th. No one was killed or seriously injured; but this was much too close for comfort.

Putin had already made the decision to cut back on the size of this year’s military display. He also announced a two-day cease-fire with Ukraine to allow the May 9th parade to proceed in safety. That announcement — which, in an unusual circumstance, was issued by the Ministry of Defense — also carried with it a threat that a “massive retaliatory strike . . . [would be made] on the center of Kyiv” if the Red Square events were targeted. [RFE/RL, May 4, 2026.]

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his own ceasefire to begin earlier, at midnight on May 5th. He also took the opportunity to poke fun at Putin by posting on Telegram:

“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war; since the Russian Defense Ministry believes that it can’t hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s consent.” [Id.]

Meanwhile, Russia — not wasting any of the hours before Ukraine’s declared May 5th ceasefire — struck numerous regions including Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia and Chernihiv on May 4th, killing at least 26 and injuring more than 80 others in drone and missile attacks. [Al Jazeera and Reuters, May 5, 2026.]

It is clear that, for Vladimir Putin, a “ceasefire” is merely a ploy to be utilized for his convenience, but to be ignored when it is requested for purposes of peace negotiations.

But that’s nothing we didn’t already know.

Hopefully — for the sake of the civilians who will be in attendance at the Red Square festivities — Ukraine’s and Russia’s leaders will do the honorable thing, and both sides will be able to enjoy a breather from the endless hostilities.

As to any long-term peace talks, they seem to have taken a back seat to Donald Trump’s Middle East fiasco . . . which has proven to be a total disaster on so many levels.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/6/26