Russia has issued a fresh warning to foreign nationals and diplomats in Kyiv, urging them to leave the Ukrainian capital as Moscow threatens further “massive” strikes.
The warning came on Saturday from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, which said foreigners should also avoid travelling to Ukraine amid an intensifying wave of attacks.
Moscow has increased its drone and missile strikes on Kyiv in recent weeks, with several attacks targeting important infrastructure across the capital.
In its latest statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it had previously warned diplomats and other foreign nationals in Kyiv to leave the city.
“We note with concern that not everyone has heeded these warnings, and that individuals are knowingly exposing themselves to mortal danger,” the ministry said.
Russia warned that its armed forces would continue carrying out “massive retaliatory strikes” and said those who ignored the warning would bear responsibility for any consequences.
“Responsibility for any potential negative consequences rests entirely with those who ignore this warning,” the ministry added.
The renewed warning came shortly after another Russian strike damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack damaged the road surface and trolleybus power lines, while traffic was disrupted.
The latest attack followed several strikes on bridges and other key infrastructure in the capital, adding to concerns over the impact of further attacks as winter approaches.
Klitschko had earlier said Kyiv should now be placed on a war footing, describing the recent attacks as an attempt to “tear Kyiv apart” through strikes on bridges and energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of abandoning the rules of armed conflict by allowing large-scale attacks on civilian areas.
Russia has rejected accusations that it deliberately targets civilians and maintains that its military operations are directed at strategic and military targets.
Kyiv has faced increasingly frequent aerial attacks in recent months, with air raid alerts disrupting daily life for the city’s estimated three million residents.
The latest escalation has also caused traffic problems, with major bridges closed or restricted and residents forced to seek alternative routes across the capital.
The conflict began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and remains ongoing despite previous diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement.
Source: AFP.
