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Russia Warns Diplomats to Leave Kyiv Amid Air Strike Threats
Confirmed
In Short: The BBC (United Kingdom) noted that Russian strikes on Kyiv have not ceased for virtually a single week since the start of the war, and the overall security threat posed by Moscow remains the same as in previous years or months.
Russian authorities on Saturday issued a new warning for diplomats and foreigners to leave Kyiv, citing potential 'massive' air attacks. The warning came hours after Russia struck another major bridge in the city, according to AFP and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia).
The Russian Foreign Ministry urged foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel to leave the Ukrainian capital immediately, stating that remaining in Kyiv poses a 'mortal danger,' as reported by the Kyiv Post (Ukraine) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia).
AFP and Reuters reported that Russia pledged to continue its massive strikes on Kyiv, urging foreign diplomats to leave the city. Reuters specifically noted Russia's pledge to continue the strikes, while AFP highlighted the warning to leave.
The BBC (United Kingdom) reported that Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate American diplomats from Kyiv during a phone call. Rubio responded that major strikes from either side are a 'reminder of why this is a terrible war' and that the US stands ready to help facilitate the end of the conflict.
According to the BBC (United Kingdom), Ukraine dismissed Russia's threats as 'nothing short of shameless blackmail' and urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow. The Kyiv Post (Ukraine) reported that Russia's threats were aimed at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps.
Air raid sirens in Kyiv sound almost round the clock, urging the city's estimated three million residents to seek shelter, as reported by AFP.
The BBC (United Kingdom) noted that Russian strikes on Kyiv have not ceased for virtually a single week since the start of the war, and the overall security threat posed by Moscow remains the same as in previous years or months.
Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city should now be on a war footing as the enemy is 'tearing Kyiv apart' with strikes on bridges and energy infrastructure.
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both reported that Russia's threats were interpreted as psychological pressure, with Moscow effectively admitting that its shelling is aimed at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps.
Western diplomats are privately discussing plans to relocate embassies to Lviv or eastern Poland amid intensifying Russian strikes on Kyiv, according to The Guardian, as reported by English (Ukraine).
Foreign delegations are expected to visit Kyiv on October 15, as reported by English (Ukraine).
Both Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and the Kyiv Post (Ukraine) reported that Russia's Armed Forces will continue to deliver massive retaliatory strikes, targeting decision-making centers and command posts, alongside drone manufacturing facilities in the city.
What this adds
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both reported that Russia's threats were interpreted as psychological pressure, with Moscow effectively admitting that its shelling is aimed at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps.
Background
The BBC (United Kingdom) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) both reported that Russia's threats were interpreted as psychological pressure, with Moscow effectively admitting that its shelling is aimed at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps.
What's confirmed
- Russia on Saturday issued a new call for diplomats and foreigners to leave Kyiv, warning the Ukrainian capital of new "massive" air attacks hours after striking another major bridge in the city.
- “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to deliver massive retaliatory strikes,” it warned.
What's still developing
- Moscow has called for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv "as soon as possible" and warned citizens to stay away from administrative and military buildings.
- “We note with concern that not everyone has heeded these warnings, and that individuals are knowingly exposing themselves to mortal danger,” the ministry said.
- "The US 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."