Russia Warns of Retaliatory Strikes on Kyiv Amid Victory Day Tensions
Russia has cautioned foreign diplomatic missions in Kyiv to evacuate, citing potential retaliatory strikes if Ukraine disrupts Moscow's Victory Day celebrations.
Russia has issued a warning to foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in Kyiv, advising them to evacuate their staff due to the possibility of "massive retaliatory strikes" on the Ukrainian capital. This caution comes in response to potential disruptions of Russia's Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Moscow had sent official notices urging the "timely evacuation" of diplomatic personnel and citizens from Kyiv.
The warning precedes Russia's annual Victory Day commemorations, which mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Kremlin had earlier announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-9 to coincide with these events. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the proposal, suggesting it was a strategic move to safeguard Moscow's parade rather than a genuine effort toward peace.
Zelensky proposed Ukraine's own ceasefire starting May 6, but reported continued Russian strikes across multiple regions. He indicated that Ukraine would respond "mirror-like" to Russia's actions and determine its next steps accordingly.
In light of security concerns, Moscow has scaled back this year's Victory Day parade, omitting military hardware from the procession for the first time in nearly two decades. Russian officials cited the "operational situation" as the reason for this decision.
Additionally, Russian authorities have implemented intermittent mobile internet shutdowns in Moscow until Saturday. While officially attributed to security measures, these blackouts may also aim to limit drone navigation and prevent live-streamed unrest during the event.
Russia's threats against Kyiv's "decision-making centers" appear to be a deterrent strategy to protect the symbolic integrity of the May 9 parade. The conditional nature of the threat—strikes only if the parade is disrupted—underscores Russia's challenges in defending its own airspace over Moscow.