Russia plans strikes on Kyiv, urges foreigners out

In Short:
– Russia plans strikes on Kyiv, urging foreigners to evacuate after recent bombardments.
– Ukrainian officials call for unity against Russian threats, asserting commitment to stay in Kyiv.

Russia plans systematic strikes on Kyiv military sites and urges foreigners to leave the city following heavy bombardments.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on allies not to yield to Russian threats, while the EU mission in Kyiv affirmed its commitment to stay.

Ukrainian response

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, claimed the strikes are retaliation for attacks by Kyiv against Russian civilians.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also urged diplomats and foreigners to evacuate Kyiv.

Russia cited a drone strike in Luhansk as justification for the planned attacks, which Ukraine denies.

In Kyiv, the aftermath of the weekend strikes has resulted in at least two deaths and numerous injuries.

Moscow employed a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in the recent bombardments.

Sybiha reiterated on X that yielding to Russian threats would be unwise.

The head of the EU mission in Kyiv stated that Russian tactics aim to incite fear, which will not succeed.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that around 300 locations in Kyiv were damaged during the strikes, including a museum dedicated to the Chornobyl disaster.

More than 70 foreign diplomats visited the affected neighbourhoods to pay their respects.

Russia Attacks Ukraine

Russia launches major attack on Ukraine, escalating tensions. #UkraineCrisis #RussiaUkraineWar #Geopolitics pic.twitter.com/EYbKAwOaDY

— I Love Myself ~~ Pooja (@poojabnf) May 26, 2026

Ongoing attacks

Ukraine has maintained its assaults on Russian infrastructure amid the conflict.

In Belgorod, a missile and drone assault resulted in fatalities and damaged utilities, officials reported.

In eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Russian attacks have also led to civilian casualties.

Reports from Kherson revealed more injuries and fatalities resulting from shelling over recent days.

In Kharkiv, missile attacks killed two and injured over 20.

Odesa suffered another strike, killing one person and injuring several others.

U.S. mediation efforts to resolve the conflict have not yielded results, with both sides accusing each other of escalating hostilities.

Zelenskiy noted slow progress with U.S. support for anti-missile production.

Kyiv awaits further diplomatic efforts from Washington.