Russia warns diplomats to leave Kyiv, says massive retaliatory strikes will continue
On 3 October Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue “systematic” strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and again urged foreign nationals and diplomatic staff not to stay in or travel to Ukraine, Reuters reported. The ministry framed the campaign as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks; AP noted a similar warning had been issued in May.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, 3 October, that the Russian armed forces would continue systematic strikes on targets in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and warned foreign nationals, including diplomatic mission staff, against remaining in or travelling to Ukraine, according to Reuters and the ministry’s published statement.
Ministry wording
In its statement, the ministry said that “in response to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ terrorist acts against the civilian population and civilian infrastructure of our country, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are continuing to systematically carry out targeted strikes on military facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.” It “once again warn[ed] foreign nationals, including diplomatic mission staff, against staying in Ukraine or travelling to its territory,” Reuters reported. AP noted Russia had issued a similar warning in May.
Context of intensified city strikes
The warning came as Russian drones and missiles have repeatedly hit Kyiv infrastructure, including road bridges over the Dnipro that connect east and west of the capital, AP and earlier Reuters coverage said. Ukrainian officials describe the bridge campaign as an effort to disrupt civilian life; Russia’s Defence Ministry has claimed some bridges were used for military logistics. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians. Merz’s Kyiv visit the next day proceeded despite the advisory, CNBC and AP reported.
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