finance
Russia Warns It May Strike Kyiv and Orders Evacuation of Foreign Diplomats
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged foreign missions to remove staff from Kyiv citing an inevitable retaliatory strike if Ukraine disrupts May 9 Victory Day events. The move follows a Defense Ministry warning issued Monday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks at a European Political Community meeting in Armenia.
May 6, 11:00 PM·1m read1 source
businesstoday.inAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday warned foreign diplomatic missions to evacuate staff from Kyiv ahead of a potential large-scale strike by Russia’s Armed Forces. The ministry issued the evacuation order two days after its Defense Ministry warned that Russia will strike decision-making centers in Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the May 9 parade.
Maria Zakharova, speaking in a video posted on Telegram, called on diplomats to take seriously the Defense Ministry warning issued Monday about retaliation in response to any Ukrainian attack linked to the May 9 commemorations.
"The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly urges the authorities of your country to treat this statement with the utmost responsibility and ensure the timely evacuation from the city of Kyiv of the personnel of diplomatic and other representations in connection with the inevitability of a retaliatory strike on Kyiv by Russia’s Armed Forces," Zakharova said.
Zakharova charged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made aggressive and threatening statements about disrupting the commemorations during Monday remarks at a European Political Community meeting in Armenia. Several EU countries were present at the meeting.
None of them reprimanded the ringleader of the Kyiv regime, she said. "It will be the first time in many, many years they cannot afford military equipment and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square," he said.
Russia's Foreign Ministry issued the evacuation warning on Wednesday. At the moment the warring countries have presented competing dates for ceasefire.
