Russia warns diplomats to leave Kyiv ahead of ‘retaliatory strike’ threat

WEB DESK: Russia has issued a stark ultimatum to foreign diplomats in the Ukrainian capital, warning of a “retaliatory strike” against Kyiv should this weekend’s World War II commemorations in Moscow be disrupted.

The Kremlin issued the warning in a formal note sent to international organisations and diplomatic missions on Wednesday, urging the immediate evacuation of personnel and citizens.

The threat specifically mentioned targeting “decision-making centres” if celebrations are interfered with this Saturday.

The escalation comes as Russia prepares for its annual Victory Day military parade through Red Square on 9 May.

While Moscow declared a unilateral ceasefire for 8 and 9 May, it has warned that any perceived interference will be met with force.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the ceasefire as a hollow gesture, suggesting the Kremlin is merely afraid of Ukrainian drones “buzzing over Red Square”, according to SCMP.

Escalation amid unilateral ceasefire

The diplomatic warning follows a spike in cross-border hostilities that continued through Thursday. Russian officials reported 13 people were wounded in the border city of Bryansk, while Ukrainian authorities confirmed a strike on Dnipro that wounded one person.

Despite Moscow’s ceasefire claims, Ukrainian officials reported multiple attacks on Wednesday, including a strike on a kindergarten in the Sumy region that was among the incidents resulting in at least four deaths.

Ukraine had proposed its own ceasefire for 6 May, which was ignored by Russian forces. In his evening address, Zelensky stated that Ukraine would “respond in kind” to violations.

The ongoing violence highlights the failure of the declared truce to halt the conflict, which has now lasted more than four years and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Security crackdown and battlefield deadlock

The tension has permeated the Russian capital, where authorities have implemented intermittent citywide internet shutdowns lasting until Saturday.

In an unprecedented move, Moscow has confirmed it will remove military hardware from the 9 May procession for the first time in nearly 20 years.

This decision follows recent Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, including an attack on Cheboksary, hundreds of kilometres from the border.

The conflict remains at a bloody stalemate, with peace talks showing little progress. Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from four regions it claims as its own terms that Kyiv views as entirely unacceptable.

As the 9 May deadline approaches, the safety of the diplomatic corps in Kyiv remains a primary concern amidst the threat of renewed aerial bombardment.