Moscow escalates pressure after massive attack, while Ukraine warns allies not to surrender to Russian blackmail.”
Russia has signalled a major escalation against Kyiv after launching waves of drones and missiles over the weekend, renewing fears of a wider offensive against the Ukrainian capital.
Moscow warned that it plans to intensify strikes on what it described as Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, command posts and “decision-making centres” inside Kyiv. Russian officials also urged foreign diplomats and citizens to leave the city immediately.
The warning came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Lavrov urged Washington to evacuate diplomatic personnel from the US embassy in Kyiv.
Russia said the planned strikes are retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian-held territory, while Ukraine rejected Moscow’s narrative and accused the Kremlin of using threats to intimidate foreign partners.
The escalation follows one of Russia’s heaviest recent assaults on Kyiv, involving missiles and drones that killed civilians, injured scores of people and damaged residential areas, schools and infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called Moscow’s warning blackmail and urged allies to remain firm. European representatives in Kyiv also signalled they would not abandon Ukraine despite Russian threats.
The message from Moscow is clear: Russia is trying to pressure Ukraine and frighten foreign missions. Kyiv’s response is equally direct: the Kremlin’s threats must bring consequences, not concessions.
