Russia has warned that it is planning to launch severe and more destructive missile strikes on Ukraine in response to recent Ukrainian drone attacks that killed several people on Russian territory.
In this regard, Moscow has issued a fresh warning to all foreigners staying in Ukraine to leave Kyiv as soon as possible to avoid being caught in the massive and potentially devastating strikes in the coming days.
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defence said the strikes would target Kyiv following Ukrainian forces killing 18 civilians in the Luhansk region.
It is pertinent to mention that while Ukraine is no match for Russian military size, strength, and technology, its asymmetric warfare tactics using cheaper drones have been benefiting Ukrainian forces on the ground.
The war in Ukraine is set to intensify further, with Russia making its intentions clear that it could strike any part of Ukraine with Kinzhal and Oreshnik missiles, which it has used sparingly in the four years of conflict.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in Monday’s statement that the strike on Starobilsk was “the last straw” and that Russia will launch a systematic series of strikes in response, targeting “specific sites where UAVs are designed, manufactured, programmed, and prepared for use”.
Noting that such facilities “are scattered throughout Kyiv", the statement warned “foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, to leave the city as soon as possible”.
A later statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had advised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the plan and urged him to evacuate US embassy staff from Kyiv.
Lavrov reportedly told Rubio by telephone that the move was initiated “in response to the continuing terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime against the peaceful population and civilian sites on Russian territory".
Also read: Belarus oppn leader visits Kyiv after Russia strikes Ukraine hard
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