Russia warned foreign missions in Kyiv to prepare for evacuation, saying it could strike the capital if Ukraine disrupts May 9 Victory Day events in Moscow. Cross-border attacks continued: officials reported 13 wounded in Bryansk and one wounded in Dnipro, while earlier strikes inside Russia killed two in Cheboksary. President Zelensky criticised Moscow's demand for a ceasefire on May 9 and vowed Ukraine would "respond in kind" to violations as fighting persists along the front line.
Russia Warns Diplomats In Kyiv To Evacuate If May 9 Victory Day Is Disrupted
Kyiv said Russia fired more than 100 drones overnight (IRYNA RYBAKOVA)(IRYNA RYBAKOVA/The 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate/AFP)
Russia on Wednesday issued a formal advisory to foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Kyiv, warning that it could carry out a "retaliatory strike" on the Ukrainian capital — "including against decision-making centres" — if Ukraine disrupts World War II Victory Day commemorations in Moscow on May 9.
Threat to Diplomatic Missions
The note urged embassies and international missions to "ensure the timely evacuation of personnel from diplomatic and other missions, as well as citizens, from the city of Kyiv." Moscow provided no further operational details, and Ukrainian authorities had not issued an immediate response.
Recent Strikes and Casualties
Fighting continued on Thursday. Russian officials said strikes in the border city of Bryansk wounded 13 people. Ukrainian regional officials reported a Russian strike wounded one person in the central-eastern city of Dnipro. Separately, Ukrainian strikes inside Russia killed two people in Cheboksary earlier in the week, hundreds of miles from the frontline.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least five drones "flying toward Moscow" had been shot down. The continued cross-border strikes have heightened alarm in Russia ahead of the May 9 parade.
Official Responses and Frontline Activity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Russia's demand for a ceasefire on May 9, suggesting Moscow feared Ukrainian drones over Red Square. Kyiv proposed its own limited ceasefire for May 6, which Moscow did not accept. Zelensky said Ukraine would "respond in kind" to any violations and decide further action accordingly.
Ukrainian commanders reported ongoing infantry raids and attempts to storm positions on the eastern front. Officials on both sides described reciprocal strikes and active combat along the line.
Wider Context
Moscow announced a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 9 to coincide with the commemorations, and has taken measures such as removing military hardware from the parade procession and imposing intermittent city-wide internet interruptions ahead of the events. Diplomatic talks to end the conflict remain stalled, with Moscow demanding Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions — terms Kyiv rejects.
Note: All figures and statements are drawn from official regional updates and statements from both sides; frontline reports remain difficult to independently verify.
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