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Russia Warns Diplomats to Evacuate Kyiv Ahead of Possible Strike on Ukrainian Capital
Russia issued a warning to foreign embassies to remove staff from Kyiv in advance of a possible mass strike if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Victory Day events in Moscow. The warning follows rival ceasefire proposals from both sides that failed to take hold, with Ukrainian officials reporting continued Russian attacks that killed at least 27 people before a unilateral truce began.
May 6, 7:14 AM·2m read9 sources
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Russia warned foreign diplomatic missions to evacuate staff from Kyiv promptly, stating it would carry out a mass strike on the Ukrainian capital if Ukraine tries to disrupt its Victory Day commemorations on May 9. The Russian foreign ministry posted a video on Telegram urging embassies to treat the statement with utmost responsibility and ensure timely evacuation in connection with the inevitability of a retaliatory strike.
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The warning came after Ukraine proposed a unilateral ceasefire that took effect at midnight between May 5 and 6. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of violating that ceasefire with missile and drone strikes, reporting one person killed and three wounded in northern and eastern regions.
Ukraine's air force reported that the morning attack involved at least 89 Russian drones as well as ballistic missiles, with hits confirmed in eight different locations. Officials said the attack continued with several enemy UAVs still in the airspace.
At least 27 people were killed in Russian strikes throughout eastern Ukraine in the hours leading up to the start of the ceasefire. Ukrainian officials later reported a total of 1,820 violations by late morning on the following day, including dozens of battlefield assaults, air strikes and drone attacks.
Ukraine's proposed cessation, which began on May 6, came in response to a Russian proposal for a truce covering May 8 and 9 to coincide with Victory Day commemorations. Russian officials have not committed to observing the Ukrainian ceasefire but proposed their own pause tied to the annual military parade in Moscow's Red Square.
Russia has said it faces an increased threat of Ukrainian attacks and will hold a slimmed-down version of its annual Victory Day parade without military hardware on display. Officials warned that any attempt to disrupt the commemorations would prompt a massive missile attack on Kyiv.
