Russia fired over 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian air force reports Tuesday. This follows Russia’s recent threat to hit Kyiv especially hard from the air, which foreign ministry noted brought nothing new.
Russia urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv as quickly as possible, while residents were told to avoid military and government facilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate diplomatic staff from Kyiv, but there was no announcement of such departures.
The European Union summoned Russia’s representative in Brussels to express concerns, accusing Moscow of trying to sow panic. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux labeled the Russian threat as new intimidation.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry stated that security threats remain the same as previous years and months, with continuous missile and drone attacks on Kyiv. Ukraine is prepared to assist diplomatic missions seeking additional security measures.
Russian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said sophisticated American-made air defense systems needed by Ukraine are in short supply due to the Iran war. He added that Kyiv is working with Europe to improve its own anti-ballistic capabilities.
Russia’s spring offensive is struggling as Ukraine’s midrange drone strikes disrupt Russia’s rear supply lines, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Moscow’s warning aims to distract from poor battlefield performance and economic strain caused by war costs and sanctions.