Russia Threatens Systematic Strikes on Kyiv as Ukraine Rejects ‘Blackmail’

Russia announced plans to carry out “systematic strikes” on military-linked facilities and decision-making centers in Kyiv following one of the heaviest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the war began. The warning escalated tensions in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as Moscow also urged foreign diplomats and civilians to leave Kyiv immediately.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the strikes are a response to what it called “terrorist attacks” by Ukraine against civilians inside Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reportedly discussed the situation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that Russia’s military operations would target facilities connected to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Ukraine strongly rejected the warning. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of using intimidation tactics and urged Western allies not to surrender to “Russian blackmail.” The European Union also reaffirmed support for Ukraine, with EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova stating that the bloc would remain in Kyiv despite the threats.

Weekend missile and drone attacks caused widespread destruction across Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said at least two people were killed and more than 90 injured. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that nearly 300 locations in the city were damaged, including a museum dedicated to the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Russia reportedly used an Oreshnik hypersonic missile near Kyiv, marking another deployment of the nuclear-capable weapon during the conflict.

Meanwhile, fighting intensified on both sides. Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted infrastructure in Russia’s Belgorod region and Russian-controlled parts of Donetsk. Russia also launched attacks across Kherson, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kramatorsk, causing additional casualties and damage.

Efforts led by the United States to mediate peace talks have so far failed, while Ukraine continues seeking stronger air defense support and additional diplomatic pressure against Moscow.