Russia Urges Foreign Countries To Evacuate Diplomats From Ukraine's Capital

ISTANBUL, May 7 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Russia urged foreign countries Wednesday to evacuate their diplomats and other personnel from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv due to possible retaliatory strikes if Ukraine carries out an attack amid Victory Day celebrations on May 9, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

In a statement, 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 Monday which said that it noted remarks given by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that same day.

The note 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 Kyiv.

The note cited the “inevitability of a retaliatory strike” by Russia against Kyiv, 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.

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, going on to state hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit.

Ukraine announced the same day that it would observe its own unilateral ceasefire starting at midnight Tuesday (2100GMT).

Zelenskyy has accused Russia of "spurning" Kyiv's ceasefire proposal through strikes carried out since then and said in an evening video address that Ukraine will determine its "fully justified responses" depending on the situation overnight and on Thursday.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU