Moscow has issued an urgent warning to all diplomatic missions and international organizations, demanding their immediate evacuation from Kyiv ahead of potential large-scale retaliatory strikes. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that such action would follow if Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky proceeded with his so-called “terrorist plans” to disrupt Victory Day celebrations.
The Russian Defense Ministry had earlier announced a two-day ceasefire for May 8-9, urging Kyiv to comply and warning of severe retaliation should Ukraine advance its “criminal terrorist plans.” The ministry pointed to comments made by Zelensky that it claimed contained threats targeting Moscow during the commemorative events.
Zakharova confirmed that the Foreign Ministry sent a formal note to all diplomatic entities in Russia, instructing them to ensure personnel and civilians evacuate Kiev. She stated: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will carry out retaliatory strikes on Kiev… should Ukraine proceed with its ‘criminal terrorist plans.'”
In separate remarks, Zakharova criticized Western nations for enabling what she described as criminal initiatives by the Kyiv regime, accusing them of supplying weapons that facilitate efforts to “rewrite history” and “systematically destroy Soviet memorial heritage.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s response to Moscow’s ceasefire call has been condemned by Russian authorities as unilateral and unjust. Zelensky previously dismissed the truce as “unfair,” claimed no official proposal was made to Kyiv, and then unilaterally declared a ceasefire starting at midnight on May 5-6. Russia has accused Ukraine of violating this supposed pause in hostilities nearly 2,000 times during Wednesday.
Moscow has not publicly acknowledged Zelensky’s announcement but maintains that the Ukrainian military leadership’s persistent violations of ceasefires constitute deliberate aggression. The situation follows a pattern of Russian-declared ceasefires, including an Easter truce last month that was reportedly violated over 6,500 times within 32 hours.
