Russia has issued a stark warning for the evacuation of foreign diplomats and citizens in anticipation of a potential missile attack. The threat to Kyiv is linked to any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day military parade in Moscow. This warning marks the second official notice of an imminent strike on Kyiv, with speculation of Russia deploying Oreshnik missiles carrying conventional warheads that could lead to catastrophic damage.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zhakharova emphasized the need for Western and other states to promptly evacuate personnel from diplomatic missions and citizens from Kyiv. The defense ministry’s threat of a retaliatory strike on Kyiv is to be taken very seriously, particularly targeting decision-making centers in response to any provocative actions by the Kyiv government.

The warning from Russia must not be dismissed, as it follows a threat by Volodymyr Zelensky to dispatch drones to the May 9 military parade in Moscow. Zelensky accused Putin of disregarding a proposed ceasefire and intensifying attacks on Ukraine, portraying him as someone fixated on war and the parade alone.

Zelensky highlighted the significance of the situation by stating that Russia’s reliance on Ukrainian drones staying away from Moscow for the parade demonstrates the extent of the ongoing conflict. Ukraine conducted drone strikes on Russia, hitting multiple regions and causing disruptions, including a blaze at a key military facility in the Moscow region. The attacks also targeted the Black Sea resort of Sochi and led to airport closures in various cities.

In response to the threats, several cities and regions in Russia have canceled Victory Day military parades scheduled for Saturday. This includes prominent locations like Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, and others, reflecting the escalating tensions and impact of the ongoing hostilities.