Russia Again Urges Foreign Diplomats to Leave Kyiv, Warns of Further Strikes

Russia's foreign ministry has repeated its warning for foreign nationals, including diplomatic staff, to avoid being in Kyiv or near Ukrainian military-related sites, according to Kommersant, citing a statement from the ministry's press service.

The ministry said it intends to continue what it described as "massive retaliatory strikes" on targets in Ukraine, a framing Moscow has used throughout the war to describe its attacks as responses to Ukrainian actions. The warning marks at least the second time Russian officials have issued this kind of caution to foreign diplomats based in the Ukrainian capital.

Repeated warnings amid ongoing strikes

Russia has periodically issued advisories urging foreign citizens and officials to leave Kyiv ahead of anticipated waves of strikes, a practice that Ukrainian officials and some foreign governments have characterized as an attempt to pressure diplomatic missions or sow unease in the capital.

Foreign embassies in Kyiv have continued to operate throughout the war despite periodic Russian strikes on the city, with many governments maintaining at least a reduced diplomatic presence even as they adjust security precautions in response to such warnings.

The renewed warning comes amid a continuing pattern of long-range strikes between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides regularly targeting infrastructure and, at times, areas near the center of government and diplomatic activity in their respective capitals.