You missed the latest events on the war in Ukraine? 20 Minutes has the summary for you every evening. Here is the essential of this Saturday, May 9, 2026, the 1,536th day of the conflict.
News of the day
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that his army was facing “aggressive” forces supported by NATO in Ukraine, during a brief speech on Red Square for modest commemorations of May 9, 1945 on the first day of a ceasefire accepted by Kiev. This parade was marked by the absence of military equipment, such as tanks and missile launchers that usually parade through the central square of Moscow. It lasted only 45 minutes and was reassured at the last minute by the entry into force of a three-day ceasefire announced the day before by Donald Trump.
Threats of Ukrainian drone attacks to disrupt the ceremonies marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany on May 9 in Russia, and Russian strikes in retaliation against the center of Kiev had been planned in preceding days.
“The great feat of the victorious generation (against Adolf Hitler) inspires today the soldiers leading the special military operation in Ukraine. They face an aggressive armed force supported by the entire NATO bloc,” declared Vladimir Putin from the platform. “I firmly believe that our cause is just. We are together. Victory was ours and it will be forever.”
Quote of the day
” Crimes committed in the territories controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic of pro-Russian separatists, before the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 have been extensively documented by the Ukrainian civilian society.”
Oksana Pokalchuk and Dmytro Koval, co-executive directors of Truth Hounds, welcomed the prosecutions in Paris for crimes against humanity targeting a Ukrainian, presumed torturer in a prison in Donetsk under pro-Russian control.
These prosecutions were revealed on Friday by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, competent in the field of crimes against humanity or war crimes.
Number of the day
7. The government of Honduras declared on Friday to provide consular assistance to seven of its citizens who claimed to have been lured to Russia by false promises of employment, only to be pushed to engage as mercenaries in the conflict in Ukraine.
After being presented to their interlocutors, their passports were confiscated and they were subjected to an attempt to join a group of mercenaries on behalf of the Russians, they explained to Honduran media.
Five managed to escape and are in a reception center awaiting repatriation. Two others are detained by Russian authorities.
Trend of the day
Ukraine and Russia accused each other on Saturday of violating a three-day ceasefire negotiated by the United States and announced by US President Donald Trump.
Our file on the war in Ukraine
/regions/2026/05/09/69ff3b477ccb7862247374.png "VIDEO. If we have to go, we have to go: meeting with these young people ready to enlist in the Army")
