Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a televised interview that the situation has not warranted the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, and he expressed hope that such measures will not be necessary in the future. In comments shared on Telegram, he emphasized that Russia possesses the strength and means to achieve what he termed a “logical conclusion” to the conflict, which began in 2022.
When asked about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Putin reiterated, “There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons… and I hope they will not be required.” He affirmed, “We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires.”
In November 2024, Putin signed a revised version of Russia's nuclear doctrine, which clarified the circumstances under which he could deploy nuclear weapons. This updated doctrine lowered the threshold for using nuclear arms, allowing for their use in response to a conventional attack supported by a nuclear power.
Amid ongoing tensions, Russia and Ukraine find themselves in a dispute over ceasefire proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced skepticism regarding Moscow’s announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire to commemorate Victory Day, a significant holiday in Russia. He labeled the proposed ceasefire as an attempt to create a “soft atmosphere” ahead of the celebrations and called instead for a more substantial 30-day halt to hostilities, suggesting it could be implemented promptly as a crucial step towards peace.
In response to the conflict dynamics, Putin declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting May 8 and lasting through May 10, coinciding with the observance of Victory Day, marking the end of World War II. The Kremlin described the truce as being implemented on humanitarian grounds.
Simultaneously, violence persists as evidenced by a recent Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported that 11 people were injured, including two children. The attack caused significant damage, with an apartment on the 12th floor catching fire as a resident recalled being awakened by the shaking of her home. Another resident reported his car being engulfed in flames, expressing frustration over the ongoing conflict and stalled peace negotiations.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys during the attack, with 69 intercepted and an additional 80 lost, likely due to electronic jamming efforts. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that their air defenses managed to shoot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight, indicating continued military engagements amid discussions of ceasefire and peace talks.
