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.