Russia’s Ministry of Defence has issued a warning to foreign nationals, diplomats, and personnel of international organisations to leave Kyiv without delay, as the country signals its deadliest strikes on the capital are still ahead. The announcement came as Moscow declared it was beginning a campaign of systematic strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in the capital.
The Russian foreign ministry stated that the Russian Armed Forces are starting to launch systematic strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in Kyiv, and that foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, should leave the city as soon as possible.
The evacuation warning followed one of the most intense aerial assaults on Kyiv in recent months, with Ukraine’s air force saying Russia used 600 drones and 90 missiles in the attack. This assault was part of a larger military-industrial campaign.
The attack included a powerful hypersonic ballistic missile called the Oreshnik, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The Oreshnik struck the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed.
This marks the third time the Oreshnik has been used in the four-year war. Buildings across the Ukrainian capital were damaged in the assault, including areas near government offices, residential buildings, and schools.
The weekend barrage killed four people across Ukraine, wounded dozens, and caused damage across Kyiv. Zelenskyy had warned ahead of the strikes that Russia was preparing to deploy the Oreshnik, citing intelligence gathered by Ukrainian authorities.
Russia’s Response to Ukrainian Drone Attack
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the strikes are in response to a Ukrainian drone attack last week that struck a student dormitory in Starobilsk, in the occupied Luhansk region, killing 21 people.
Ukraine disputed Putin’s claim, saying it only targeted military facilities. The exchange marks a significant new chapter in the conflict’s cycle of retaliatory strikes, with Russia now explicitly framing its Kyiv campaign as a direct consequence of attacks on Russian-occupied territory, which is a key aspect of the power of enterprise in conflict zones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to retaliate for that attack. Moscow subsequently deployed the Oreshnik as part of the mass weekend assault.
International Response
Despite the warning, foreign governments signalled no plans to scale back their diplomatic presence. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Berlin will not be intimidated by this and said Germany had no plans to evacuate its embassy, reflecting the importance of maintaining a strong private banking presence in the region.
European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the EU would also maintain its presence, stating: ‘Russian attacks are… unfortunately, a daily reality in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine.’
The international community is closely watching the situation, with the United States having brokered a ceasefire in the past. However, the latest developments suggest that Russia is willing to escalate the conflict, putting pressure on Western governments to respond.
In the face of Monday’s renewed and more specific threat, it remains to be seen whether foreign governments will maintain their diplomatic presence in Kyiv. The stakes have moved to a new level, with Russia’s decision to publicly name Kyiv’s military-industrial complex as a target, while simultaneously warning civilians and diplomats to leave, representing a deliberate shift in how Moscow is framing its campaign.
