US-Brokered 3-Day Ceasefire Takes Effect; 1,000-Prisoner Exchange Begins

The US-brokered three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine officially took effect on May 9, coinciding with Russia's Victory Day. The ceasefire included a halt to all offensive kinetic activity and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each side — the largest prisoner swap of 2026. Both President Zelensky and Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed implementation. While early reports of ceasefire violations emerged from both sides, the exchange of prisoners proceeded. Trump's statement framed the ceasefire as a potential 'beginning of the end' of the war, though European allies remained cautious that a 72-hour pause would translate into meaningful peace negotiations.