Russia has urged foreign countries to evacuate their diplomats and other personnel from the Ukrainian capital Kiev due to possible retaliatory strikes if Ukraine carries out an attack amid Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
In a statement on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said a note was sent to all foreign diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organisations accredited with the ministry.
The note recalled a Defence Ministry statement released on Monday, which noted remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that day.
It urged authorities in respective countries and the leadership of respective organisations to take the Defence Ministry’s statement with the “utmost responsibility” and ensure the “timely evacuation” of diplomatic and other personnel, as well as citizens, from Kiev.
The note cited the “inevitability of a retaliatory strike” by Russia against Kiev, including its “decision-making centres,” if Ukraine carries out strikes during Victory Day celebrations scheduled for May 9.
In an address at the inaugural session of the 8th European Political Community Summit in the Armenian capital Yerevan, Zelenskyy recalled that Russia announced that it would hold the annual May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow without military equipment.
“If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment – and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square,” he said.
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On April 29, the Russian Defence Ministry said the country’s military equipment column will not participate in the military parade this year “due to the current operational situation.”
The Defence Ministry statement released Monday also announced that Russia will implement a unilateral ceasefire on May 8-9 on the occasion of Victory Day celebrations, and expressed hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit.
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