The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday urged foreign nationals, including diplomatic and international organization staff, to leave Kyiv “as soon as possible,” warning that strikes would continue targeting “decision-making centres and command posts” across the Ukrainian capital.
In a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday, Moscow also warned Kyiv residents against approaching Ukrainian military and government buildings, citing ongoing “systemic strikes” on Ukraine’s defense industry, including drone manufacturing facilities.
In its statement, Russia also accused Ukrainian forces of launching an attack on a Russian university on Friday.
Oreshnik Deployed
The notice followed a large-scale Russian assault on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired 90 missiles of various types and 600 drones, with Kyiv as the “primary target.” According to his statement, among the weapons deployed was an Oreshnik ballistic missile, a hypersonic, multi-warhead intermediate-range system that struck Bila Tserkva, roughly 50 miles from Kyiv.
At least 83 people were injured, with fatalities confirmed.
Russia’s Sunday attack also followed a Ukrainian drone strike that triggered a fire at a major oil terminal in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, part of Kyiv’s intensifying campaign against Russian energy infrastructure.
Allies Denounce Oreshnik
Following Sunday’s attack, leaders across the globe condemned Russia’s use of the Oreshnik missile system on “civilian infrastructure,” pledging continued support for Ukraine.
European Union Council President Antonio Costa called it a “ruthless display of brutality aimed at civilians.” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Russia’s “acts of brutality do not serve to strengthen Russia’s hand — it weakens it.”
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the strike as signaling a “headlong rush and the impasse of Russia’s war of aggression.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it a “reckless escalation.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russia had “greatly underestimated the courage, determination, and strength of the Ukrainian people.”
Diplomacy Moves, Zelenskyy Eyes U.S. Action
The fresh escalation also follows Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly warning President Donald Trump that Russian President could “regret” his decision to invade Ukraine.
The State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a call Monday, discussing both the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Iran.
In a Monday post on X, Zelenskyy said anti-ballistic capabilities are “in short supply globally” partly due to the Iran conflict, stressing that “strong leadership from the United States in expanding anti-ballistic production is also urgently needed.”
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its fifth year with several failed attempts at a permanent truce.