Massive Russian Offensive In Ukraine Coming? Moscow Sends ‘Vacate Kyiv’ Message To Foreigners

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 01:32 IST

Moscow warned that it plans to intensify strikes on the Ukrainian capital, including attacks targeting what it described as Kyiv’s “decision-making centres”.

After launching waves of drones and missiles at Ukraine over the weekend, Russia has now signalled an even bigger escalation against Kyiv, renewing fears of a major offensive in the war that has raged since February 2022.

Moscow warned that it plans to intensify strikes on the Ukrainian capital, including attacks targeting what it described as Kyiv’s “decision-making centres", while also urging foreign diplomats and citizens to leave the city immediately.

The warning came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. According to Russia’s foreign ministry, Lavrov urged the United States to evacuate diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Kyiv amid the threat of further attacks.

Russia launched dozens of drones and missiles across Ukraine over the weekend, killing at least four people, injuring dozens more and causing extensive damage in Kyiv and other regions.

Among the weapons reportedly used was Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which Moscow claims can travel at nearly 10 times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The latest barrage came days after Russia accused Kyiv of attacking a vocational school in the Russian-occupied Lugansk region, allegedly killing 21 people. Following the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to retaliate.

“Under the current circumstances, the Russian Armed Forces are starting to launch systematic strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in Kyiv," Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The strikes will target both decision-making centres and command posts. We are warning foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, to leave the city as soon as possible," it added.

Russia had issued a similar warning earlier this month, threatening massive strikes on central Kyiv if Ukraine attempted to disrupt Moscow’s military parade on Red Square.

However, several Western allies quickly rejected the warning.

A spokesperson for France’s foreign ministry said, “We’re used to Putin’s threats. It is out of the question to evacuate."

The European Union ambassador in Kyiv also dismissed the warning, writing on Facebook: “We are not going anywhere."

Ukraine, meanwhile, accused Moscow of attempting psychological intimidation.

“We are now telling our partners that they should not give in to all this Russian blackmail," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Efforts led by the United States to broker a ceasefire have largely stalled in recent months as geopolitical attention shifted toward the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

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