Russia warns foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv in case of strike
Key takeaways
- Russia did not elaborate on its threat, and Ukraine did not immediately respond.
- Russia marks World War II Victory Day each year on May 9 with a massive military parade through Red Square.
- The country earlier this week declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between May 8 and 9 to coincide with the commemorations.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Russia warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv on Wednesday to evacuate the city ahead of Moscow's World War II Victory Day celebrations, threatening retaliatory strikes if Ukraine disrupts commemorations tied to the May 9 military parade in Red Square.
By: FRANCE 24 Police officers and a resident walk in front of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, in the town of Obukhiv, Kyiv region, Ukraine, April 3, 2026. © Reuters, Valentyn Ogirenko Russia sent an evacuation warning to foreign diplomats in Kyiv on Wednesday, saying it would attack the city if Ukraine disrupted World War II commemorations in Moscow this weekend. Russia did not elaborate on its threat, and Ukraine did not immediately respond.
Russia marks World War II Victory Day each year on May 9 with a massive military parade through Red Square.