Russia pressures U.S., Ukraine’s allies to flee Kyiv, threatening ‘systematic strikes’


Moscow says more attacks like it could be coming.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned Monday that it would conduct “systematic strikes” against military targets in Kyiv, including what it called “decision-making centers.”

It said this would be in retaliation for a drone attack last week that authorities said killed 21 people, including students, at a college in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv’s armed forces have denied the accusation, saying they were aiming at a military unit near the town. Ukraine has been striking deeper inside Russia in recent months, creating increasingly uncomfortable optics for the Kremlin.

Ukrainian cities, meanwhile, face near-daily attacks from Russian missiles and drones, causing extensive damage and thousands of civilian casualties.

But the Russian Foreign Ministry said things would now get more intense for the Ukrainian capital, adding that the deadly attack on the college in Luhansk has “exhausted our patience.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday refused to provide details on the frequency of potential strikes.

The destroyed dormitory building of the Starobilsk professional college of Luhansk Pedagogical University following a drone attack in Starobilsk in Russian-controlled Ukraine on Friday.
The destroyed dormitory building of the Starobilsk professional college of Luhansk Pedagogical University following a drone attack in Starobilsk in Russian-controlled Ukraine on Friday.Igor Ivanko / AFP via Getty Images

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov raised the new threat in a call with Rubio on Monday, according to the Russian readout, informing the U.S. on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin of the impending “systematic and sequential strikes” on Kyiv and reiterating the call for U.S. diplomatic staff to evacuate.

U.S.-led peace talks to end the war have stalled, with President Donald Trump focused on the Iran war.

Asked about the call on Tuesday, Rubio said he was aware of the notice to all embassies, but that Lavrov was warning him personally that “Kyiv’s going to be a very dangerous place” and wanted Rubio to relay the message directly to Trump. There are no “scheduled negotiations” on Ukraine at the moment, Rubio added, but “the U.S. is always prepared to play a constructive and helpful role if that opportunity presents itself.”

Some U.S. allies responded less evenhandedly.

“We are not going anywhere!” the head of the E.U. mission in Kyiv, Katarina Mathernova, wrote in a statement on Facebook, calling the warning from Russia’s Foreign Ministry “a masterpiece of hypocrisy” and an attempt to sow panic.

Such threats are not a sign of strength, she added. “They are a sign of desperation.”

France and Poland were also among Ukraine’s allies that condemned the threat and rejected the warning to flee.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    CFB Esquimalt visit a sales pitch for Korean submarines

    The ROKS Daejeon and ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho are at CFB Esquimalt, as a Korean defence company vies to sell submarines to Canada. A South Korean naval visit to CFB…

    Menefee wins TX-18 Democratic primary runoff in Houston, shutting out Green

    Freshman Rep. Christian Menefee defeated longtime Rep. Al Green in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, NBC News projects, after a rare incumbent-on-incumbent matchup sparked by Republican-led…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Alexa Chung Wore a Specific Sandal Trend That’s Selling Out

    Alexa Chung Wore a Specific Sandal Trend That’s Selling Out

    Quebec psychiatrists group supports bill on forced…

    CFB Esquimalt visit a sales pitch for Korean submarines

    CFB Esquimalt visit a sales pitch for Korean submarines

    UK Visa Portal spilled thousands of applicants’ passports and selfies online — and hasn’t fixed the leak

    UK Visa Portal spilled thousands of applicants’ passports and selfies online — and hasn’t fixed the leak

    Vitality Blast Men 2026, HAM vs ESS South Group Match Report, May 26, 2026

    Vitality Blast Men 2026, HAM vs ESS South Group Match Report, May 26, 2026

    Christian Menefee Defeats Al Green in Houston-Area House Seat

    Christian Menefee Defeats Al Green in Houston-Area House Seat