Moscow: Russia has warned that it will carry out “consistent and systematic strikes” on Ukraine’s defence infrastructure in Kyiv and has advised foreign nationals to leave the city.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued the warning following what it described as Ukraine’s deadliest drone strike in Starobilsk, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured 42 others, according to Al Jazeera.
The ministry stated that Russia’s armed forces are now preparing to target Ukrainian defence industry facilities in Kyiv, including sites involved in the design, manufacturing, programming, and deployment of drones. It alleged that Ukraine’s drone operations are being supported by NATO personnel, who provide components, reconnaissance support, and target acquisition data.
It further urged foreign nationals, including diplomatic staff and international organisation employees, to leave Kyiv as soon as possible. Residents of the Ukrainian capital were also warned to avoid military and administrative infrastructure facilities, which Russia claims are being used by the Ukrainian government.
According to the statement, these facilities are widely distributed across Kyiv, making the situation increasingly dangerous for civilians and foreign citizens.
Kyiv has significantly expanded its drone warfare capabilities in recent months, with Ukraine reporting successful strikes on Russian targets, particularly energy infrastructure. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago and claims sovereignty over four eastern Ukrainian regions, has described such attacks as “terrorism” and has responded with large-scale missile and drone strikes, Al Jazeera reported.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly informed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that, in response to Ukrainian attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure inside Russia, Moscow is conducting systematic strikes on facilities in Kyiv used by Ukraine’s military, as well as decision-making centres, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted a shortage of anti-ballistic defence systems, stating that Ukraine is working with European partners to secure adequate supplies.
He said air defence remains Ukraine’s top priority, adding that anti-ballistic capabilities are currently in short supply globally due to ongoing conflicts. Zelenskyy also noted efforts to boost domestic production in Europe and continued coordination with the United States to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence systems.