Bangladesh, May 8 -- In a surprising move aimed at both humanitarian outreach and the potential resumption of peace talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire, beginning on Thursday, May 8. The pause in military operations is scheduled to last through midnight on May 10–11, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Unions historic victory over Nazi Germany. Despite a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks in the hours leading up to the truce, Moscow has pledged to uphold its commitment.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on May 7 that the ceasefire remains in effect. “Yes, this is an initiative by the Russian side, by President Putin. It remains in force,” Peskov stated,...