Russia warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv on Wednesday that it could strike the Ukrainian capital if Moscow’s World War II Victory Day commemorations are disrupted this weekend, escalating tensions ahead of the May 9 parade in Red Square.
In a note sent to diplomatic missions and international organizations, Russia said it would carry out a “retaliatory strike” on Kyiv — including against “decision-making centres” — if Ukraine interfered with the celebrations marking Victory Day, one of the Kremlin’s most important national events.
Moscow urged embassies and foreign organisations to “ensure the timely evacuation” of staff and citizens from Kyiv. Russia did not specify what actions by Ukraine would trigger such a response, and Kyiv did not immediately comment on the warning.
Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 with a large military parade through Red Square. Earlier this week, the Kremlin announced a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine from May 8 to May 9 to coincide with the commemorations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Moscow’s ceasefire proposal, accusing Russia of trying to secure calm only for the parade. Speaking earlier this week, Zelensky remarked that the Kremlin feared Ukrainian drones could “buzz over Red Square.”
Ukraine had separately proposed its own ceasefire beginning May 6, but Russia did not accept the offer.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said Ukraine continued to face attacks despite Moscow’s truce declaration.
“Today, virtually all day long, virtually every hour, we have been receiving reports of strikes from various regions,” he said, adding that Ukraine would “respond in kind” to Russian actions.
Ukrainian officials reported several Russian attacks on Wednesday, including strikes in the northern Sumy region where two people were killed at a kindergarten. Overall, at least four civilians were reported dead across Ukraine.
Fighting also continued along the front lines despite ceasefire calls from both sides.
A Ukrainian officer stationed on the eastern front told AFP that Russian forces continued infantry assaults and attempts to storm Ukrainian positions.
“Since Russia did not comply with the ceasefire proposed by Kyiv, our unit responded in kind and countered all provocations,” the officer said.
Another commander described the situation as unchanged, saying: “The intensity of combat operations remains at the same level.” He added: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
The Kremlin has so far avoided directly responding to Kyiv’s ceasefire proposal, insisting only that Ukraine suspend attacks during the May 9 celebrations.
Russia’s defence ministry said it intercepted 53 Ukrainian drones overnight — significantly fewer than in previous days — but did not clarify whether any were launched after Kyiv’s proposed truce was due to begin.
The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, with both sides stepping up long-range strikes deep behind enemy lines.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Russian city of Cheboksary along the Volga River, killing two people hundreds of miles from the Ukrainian border.
The attacks have heightened security concerns in Russia ahead of the Victory Day parade. Moscow has reportedly decided to scale back the display of military hardware at the event for the first time in nearly two decades and has imposed intermittent internet shutdowns across the capital until Saturday.
Efforts to negotiate an end to Europe’s largest conflict since World War II have made little progress. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from four regions Moscow claims to have annexed — conditions Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
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