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Russia threatens fresh wave of strikes on Kyiv
Moscow has announced plans for a new round of "systematic strikes" targeting Kyiv's command centers and drone production sites, escalating tensions days after one of the war's largest assaults on the Ukrainian capital.
Targets and warnings
In a statement, Russia's foreign ministry identified "decision-making centers and command posts" alongside drone manufacturing facilities as primary targets. The ministry also urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv "as soon as possible," cautioning civilians to avoid administrative and military buildings.
Ukraine condemned the threats as "shameless blackmail," calling on allies to intensify pressure on Moscow. Kyiv's response accused Russia of using the warnings to intimidate foreign diplomats, framing the shelling as part of a broader campaign of coercion.
Recent attacks and casualties
Russian strikes on Saturday night killed four people and injured nearly 100 across Kyiv and other regions, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Moscow claimed the assaults were retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, which Russian officials said left 21 dead. Ukraine denied targeting civilians, stating its forces had struck an elite Russian drone unit in the occupied east.
Since a brief ceasefire tied to Moscow's Victory Day parade expired earlier this month, Russia has launched multiple deadly waves of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv. A May 13 strike on a residential building killed 24, including three children. Days later, Ukraine retaliated with a drone attack on the Moscow region, which Zelensky described as a "justified" response to Russian aggression.
Scale of Saturday's assault
Kyiv endured one of the war's most intense aerial bombardments overnight Saturday. Social media videos captured explosions illuminating the night sky, while residents reported widespread blasts. Russia deployed dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside hundreds of drones, including a nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile fired at Bila Tserkva, 90 kilometers south of Kyiv.
Civilian infrastructure bore the brunt of the attacks. The Chernobyl Museum in Kyiv's historic district and the National Art Museum of Ukraine were damaged or destroyed. A shopping center, market, and several residential buildings in the Lukanivka area were also leveled.
Diplomatic fallout
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate American diplomats from Kyiv during a Monday phone call, according to Moscow's foreign ministry. Rubio later acknowledged the call, calling the strikes a "reminder of why this is a terrible war" and reiterating U.S. readiness to help end the conflict.
"The U.S. stands ready and prepared to help do whatever we can to help facilitate the end of this war, and hopefully the opportunity will present itself at some point."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Psychological pressure and air defenses
Analysts view Russia's evacuation warnings as a form of psychological warfare, despite Moscow's long-standing pattern of striking Kyiv since its 2022 invasion. Ukraine's air defense systems, bolstered by four years of war, now intercept a significant portion of incoming drones and missiles. However, Russia's tactic of overwhelming defenses with sheer volume often allows some projectiles to penetrate.
Ukraine's reliance on foreign air defense systems remains critical. In March, Zelensky warned of a looming shortage due to competing demands from the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran.
