Russia has issued a stark warning to foreign nationals, urging them to leave Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as it prepares what it described as a series of systematic strikes on defence-related facilities in the city.
In a statement, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that the upcoming operations would target sites involved in the design, manufacturing, programming, and preparation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Moscow framed the action as a direct response to a Ukrainian drone strike last week on a student dormitory in the Russian-occupied city of Starobilsk in Luhansk region, which killed at least 18 people and wounded 42 others.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the Starobilsk attack as “the last straw,” accusing Kyiv of “flagrant disregard for international humanitarian law” and labelling it a demonstration of the “Nazi and terrorist nature” of the Ukrainian government. The ministry further claimed the strike deliberately targeted civilians, including children.
Ukraine’s military has rejected responsibility for hitting the dormitory, stating instead that its forces targeted an elite Russian drone command unit in the area.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reportedly informed his US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, about the planned strikes during a telephone call and pressed for the evacuation of US embassy staff from Kyiv. Lavrov cited ongoing “terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime” against Russian civilians as justification.
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The warning extends to personnel from diplomatic missions and international organisations, advising them to depart the city immediately. Residents of Kyiv were also cautioned to stay away from military and administrative buildings.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha dismissed Moscow’s threats as “Russian blackmail” and called on allies not to yield to such pressure.
Despite the heightened tensions, daily life in parts of Kyiv continued, with residents returning to work. French Ambassador Gael Veyssiere, who joined more than 70 foreign diplomats in paying respects to victims of recent strikes, highlighted the resilience of ordinary Ukrainians.
Russia has intensified its missile and drone assaults on Kyiv and surrounding areas since the Starobilsk incident. Recent attacks included the use of the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, marking the third deployment of the nuclear-capable weapon in the four-year conflict. Ukrainian authorities reported at least four deaths and over 60 injuries in the latest overnight strikes on the capital region.
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