Russia Continues Attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv Warns of Possible Major Barrage
Ukrainian Air Force reports over 100 drones and two ballistic missiles launched by Russia overnight, amid warnings for Kyiv to prepare for potential significant strikes.
KYIV: Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force, as the country's foreign ministry highlighted that Moscow's recent threats of hitting Kyiv particularly hard from the air have resulted in no new developments.
Russia urged foreign citizens, including members of diplomatic missions, to depart from the Ukrainian capital as swiftly as possible and advised residents to avoid military and government facilities.
It indicated preparations for 'systemic strikes' on Kyiv.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov communicated with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio via phone on Monday, suggesting that the United States should evacuate its diplomatic staff from Kyiv.
However, it remains unclear whether the State Department intends to take such action.
Concern over the potential escalation of the conflict was expressed by Rubio during his visit to India.
The Trump administration has been attempting for over a year to cease the hostilities that erupted following Russia's February 2022 invasion.
However, their efforts have not led to any significant breakthroughs and are currently being sidelined as Washington prioritizes issues related to Iran.
No diplomatic departures from Kyiv were announced, with the European Union, French, and Polish delegations declaring they would remain in place.
According to Ukraine's foreign ministry, the level of security threats posed by Russia to Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities remains unchanged compared to previous years and months.
It emphasized that Russia has continuously launched missile and drone attacks on the capital for over four years, asserting readiness to assist diplomatic missions seeking enhanced security measures.
Russia claimed its largest missile attack of the year last weekend was a response to a Ukrainian drone strike on Friday targeting what it described as a college dormitory in Starobilsk, a city within Ukraine's Russia-occupied Luhansk region.
However, the Ukrainian General Staff asserted that their strike hit the local command center of Russia’s special drone unit.
Ukraine is currently lacking sophisticated air defense missiles, particularly those of American origin, which are essential for countering Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted the scarcity due to the ongoing Iran conflict and stated that there has been no progress in expanding anti-ballistic capabilities through collaboration with America.
Efforts to bolster these capabilities with Europe are underway.
Zelensky added that recent battlefield successes have enabled Ukraine to 'stabilize' the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, indicating Kyiv's forces are holding their ground against Russia’s larger military.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia’s springtime assault is faltering as Ukrainian mid-range drone strikes disrupt Russian supply lines.
The think tank suggests that Moscow's warning about imminent major strikes aims to divert public attention from its 'poor battlefield performance' and economic strain due to war expenses and international sanctions.
Russia urged foreign citizens, including members of diplomatic missions, to depart from the Ukrainian capital as swiftly as possible and advised residents to avoid military and government facilities.
It indicated preparations for 'systemic strikes' on Kyiv.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov communicated with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio via phone on Monday, suggesting that the United States should evacuate its diplomatic staff from Kyiv.
However, it remains unclear whether the State Department intends to take such action.
Concern over the potential escalation of the conflict was expressed by Rubio during his visit to India.
The Trump administration has been attempting for over a year to cease the hostilities that erupted following Russia's February 2022 invasion.
However, their efforts have not led to any significant breakthroughs and are currently being sidelined as Washington prioritizes issues related to Iran.
No diplomatic departures from Kyiv were announced, with the European Union, French, and Polish delegations declaring they would remain in place.
According to Ukraine's foreign ministry, the level of security threats posed by Russia to Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities remains unchanged compared to previous years and months.
It emphasized that Russia has continuously launched missile and drone attacks on the capital for over four years, asserting readiness to assist diplomatic missions seeking enhanced security measures.
Russia claimed its largest missile attack of the year last weekend was a response to a Ukrainian drone strike on Friday targeting what it described as a college dormitory in Starobilsk, a city within Ukraine's Russia-occupied Luhansk region.
However, the Ukrainian General Staff asserted that their strike hit the local command center of Russia’s special drone unit.
Ukraine is currently lacking sophisticated air defense missiles, particularly those of American origin, which are essential for countering Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted the scarcity due to the ongoing Iran conflict and stated that there has been no progress in expanding anti-ballistic capabilities through collaboration with America.
Efforts to bolster these capabilities with Europe are underway.
Zelensky added that recent battlefield successes have enabled Ukraine to 'stabilize' the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, indicating Kyiv's forces are holding their ground against Russia’s larger military.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia’s springtime assault is faltering as Ukrainian mid-range drone strikes disrupt Russian supply lines.
The think tank suggests that Moscow's warning about imminent major strikes aims to divert public attention from its 'poor battlefield performance' and economic strain due to war expenses and international sanctions.
