Arabic version: روسيا تهدد بشن ضربات جديدة على كييف، وتحث الأجانب على الإخلاء

Russia has threatened to launch a fresh wave of “systematic strikes” against Kyiv, days after carrying out one of its largest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the start of the war. The Russian foreign ministry stated that the new strikes will target “decision-making centres and command posts,” alongside drone manufacturing facilities in the city. According to BBC News, 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.

Ukrainian officials have condemned Russia’s threats, labeling them as “nothing short of shameless blackmail” and have called on international allies to increase pressure on Moscow. The warning directed at foreign nationals is perceived as an attempt to intimidate the diplomatic community, as stated by Ukrainian officials. The ongoing conflict has seen Russian strikes on Kyiv “have not ceased for virtually a single week” since the war’s onset.

Large-scale Russian strikes on Saturday night killed four and injured about 100 people in Kyiv and other areas, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russia claimed these actions were in response to what it alleges was a deliberate Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, where they claim 21 people were killed. Ukraine’s military refuted these claims, stating they targeted an elite Russian military drone unit without civilian casualties.

The situation escalated following a brief ceasefire that coincided with Russia’s annual Victory Day parade earlier in May. Since then, Russian missile and drone attacks have intensified, with significant civilian damage reported. Videos from the latest assault showed explosions lighting up the sky throughout the night, affecting numerous civilian targets, including the Chernobyl Museum and various residential buildings.

In a phone call, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate American diplomats from Kyiv. Rubio remarked that the ongoing strikes are a “reminder of why this is a terrible war” and emphasized the U.S.’s readiness to assist in achieving an end to the conflict. Analysts interpret the call for foreign nationals to leave as a form of psychological pressure by Russia, which has maintained its aggressive military strategy since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.