Russia on Monday warned foreign nationals, including diplomatic staff and employees of international organisations, to leave Kyiv (also Kiev) “as soon as possible” as Moscow announced plans to intensify strikes against Ukrainian military and defence related infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Moscow said the Russian Armed Forces would begin “consistent, systematic strikes” against Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, decision making centres and command posts in Kyiv.
The warning followed what Russia described as a deadly Ukrainian drone attack on the academic building and dormitory of Lugansk State Pedagogical University in Starobelsk in the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) on May 22. Moscow accused the Ukrainian government of deliberately targeting civilians and claimed the attack demonstrated the “Nazi nature” of the Kyiv regime.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the planned strikes would target facilities allegedly involved in the design, production, programming and preparation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by Ukraine with assistance from NATO specialists.
The ministry stated that the attacks would also focus on what it called “decision making centres and command posts” linked to the Ukrainian government.
Because such facilities are spread across Kyiv, Russia urged foreign nationals to evacuate the city and advised residents not to approach military or administrative infrastructure associated with the Ukrainian authorities.
The statement also accused Ukraine and its Western allies of violating international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.