Russia has issued a strong alert to foreign diplomatic missions in Kyiv, urging them to evacuate staff amid heightened fears that Ukrainian forces could target its upcoming Victory Day commemorations on May 9.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned of possible retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian command centers and decision-making hubs in the capital if any attempts are made to interfere with the annual parade and ceremonies marking the Soviet victory in World War II.
Spokesperson Maria Zakharova sharply criticized Western nations supporting Ukraine, claiming they are turning a blind eye to what she described as Kyiv’s increasingly aggressive provocations in the lead-up to the sensitive date.
“If European countries believe they can simply dismiss or conceal the open threats coming from Kyiv, they are deeply mistaken,” Zakharova stated. She added that by continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine, these nations are effectively complicit in the actions of the Ukrainian leadership.
The tensions stem in part from recent comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who suggested that Russian authorities are now anxious about the possibility of Ukrainian drones appearing over Moscow’s Red Square during the parade. In response, Russian officials have significantly reduced the scale of this year’s celebrations, citing serious security risks.
Ukraine, for its part, has accused Russia of rejecting a unilateral ceasefire proposal and continuing its offensive operations. In the northeastern city of Sumy, local authorities reported that two civilians were killed when Russian drones struck a kindergarten building.
Additional Russian strikes hit residential areas in the southern city of Kherson, causing damage to civilian homes and complicating rescue efforts. According to the United Nations, Russian attacks across Ukraine between Tuesday and Wednesday resulted in at least 30 civilian deaths and approximately 170 injuries.
Ukrainian officials said Russia deployed more than 100 drones and several missiles in overnight barrages. Zelenskyy vowed a firm response while reiterating Kyiv’s call for de-escalation.
“Ukraine will respond appropriately based on the situation,” Zelenskyy said. “We have made a clear proposal for a cessation of strikes and a diplomatic path forward. Moscow knows how to engage if it truly wants to coordinate details. However, if the only priority in the Kremlin is protecting a single parade while disregarding everything else, that reveals a very different set of intentions.”
The exchange underscores the fragile state of the conflict, with both sides trading accusations as Russia prepares for one of its most symbolically important national holidays.