Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov announced on Thursday the main schedule for the Victory Day parade to be held in Moscow on May 9, and reiterated a call for foreign governments to take seriously a previous statement by the Russian Defense Ministry and ensure the timely evacuation of relevant personnel from Kyiv.

According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Ushakov said that around 9:45 a.m. Moscow time on May 9, Russia will hold a reception for foreign guests, with President Vladimir Putin attending. Leaders will then proceed together to Red Square to observe the military parade.

He added that Putin will deliver a speech at the parade, where foot formations and aerobatic teams will march past in review. Putin will also lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Red Square, together with foreign representatives and veterans of the Great Patriotic War.

Ushakov noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry had already sent diplomatic notes on May 6, urging countries to take seriously a statement issued by the Russian Defense Ministry and to ensure the timely evacuation of relevant personnel from Kyiv. The Russian Defense Ministry said on May 4 that if Ukraine attempts to sabotage Victory Day commemorations, Russian forces may carry out retaliatory strikes against the center of Kyiv.

On May 4, Russia announced a ceasefire from May 8 to May 9 to mark Victory Day and urged Ukraine to follow suit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said Ukraine would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting May 6 at midnight and called for meaningful steps toward ending the war.

The Kremlin said in late April that this year's Red Square parade would be scaled down for security reasons, and that heavy military equipment would not be displayed.