Russia Recalls Diplomats From Kyiv

Russia's Foreign Ministry has warned foreign diplomats to evacuate Kyiv ahead of possible mass strikes on the Ukrainian capital if Moscow's Victory Day commemorations on May 9 are disrupted. The ministry issued the alert on Wednesday, stating that any Ukrainian attack during the holiday would trigger retaliation against Kyiv.

It described the warning as a response to what it called aggressive statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the planned Russian parade. Moscow had earlier announced a unilateral truce for Friday and Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe, traditionally celebrated with a large military parade in Red Square.

Officials said the event this year would be scaled back amid security concerns. In response, Zelensky proposed a ceasefire for Tuesday and Wednesday instead. He accused Russia of launching strikes on Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk on Tuesday in violation of that proposal.

"We can confirm that the Russian side has derailed the ceasefire regime," Zelensky said in a statement on social media. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian attacks on Tuesday killed 28 people and injured at least 120. A Russian-backed leader in Crimea said Ukrainian drone strikes there killed five people.

However, fears of Ukrainian drone attacks on the Moscow parade prompted the evacuation warning to diplomatic missions. "We believe that human life is of incomparably greater value than the 'celebration' of any anniversary," Zelensky said earlier at a gathering of European leaders in Armenia.

Kyiv said it would begin its own truce on May 6 and then act symmetrically after Moscow declared its pause. Both sides have traded accusations of ceasefire violations in the days since. m. on one day, according to Ukrainian tallies. Zelensky said the strikes on multiple cities showed Moscow had no intention of honoring a pause.

The exchange comes as both governments prepare for the symbolically charged May 9 date. Moscow traditionally uses the holiday to display military hardware, while Kyiv has warned of possible drone operations targeting the events.

Diplomatic Contacts Continue The U.S.

Secretary of State spoke with his Russian counterpart on Tuesday following the strikes. The call touched on a schedule for future bilateral contacts but produced no immediate breakthroughs. Britain meanwhile indicated it would begin talks to access a €78 billion European Union loan facility for Ukraine.

“The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly urges the authorities of your country... The decision follows concerns over potential Ukrainian drone incursions over Red Square. Zelensky noted at the Armenia gathering that Russia appeared unable to afford a full display and feared aerial disruption. The Russian side described his remarks as threatening to the commemorations. The competing ceasefire proposals and subsequent violations have left little prospect of a pause in fighting around the May 9 holiday. Both capitals appear braced for continued operations.”