Russia has urged foreign citizens and diplomats living in Kyiv to leave the city, warning that it plans to launch more strikes on the Ukrainian capital and its 'decision-making centres,' according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Later that day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated the call, saying that Moscow would take additional measures to 'de-militarize' Ukraine and that foreign nationals should not rely on evacuation corridors. Lavrov did not specify a timeline for the strikes.
Ukrainian officials have condemned the warning, calling it a form of psychological warfare. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to increase pressure on Russia to prevent further escalation.
As of May 26, 2026, the situation in Kyiv remains tense, with air raid sirens sounding intermittently. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has advised American citizens to depart immediately if it is safe to do so, echoing similar advisories from other Western nations.
