Russia renews call for diplomats, foreigners to leave Kyiv, vos 'massive' strikes

Russia on Saturday renewed its warning for foreign diplomats and nationals to leave Kyiv and avoid traveling to Ukraine, saying its armed forces "will continue to deliver massive retaliatory strikes," according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

"Responsibility for possible negative consequences lies entirely with those who ignore this warning," the ministry said.

The warning comes as Russia steps up attacks on Kyiv's infrastructure, striking the city's Northern Bridge on Saturday, a day after the Southern Bridge was fully closed following repeated strikes.

This photograph shows traces of the explosion on a pedestrian way of the bridge following a drone attack on the Northern Bridge in Kyiv on October 3, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Russia: Foreigners 'exposing their lives to mortal danger'

The ministry said Russian forces are "systematically" striking military facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in response to what it called "terrorist actions" by Ukraine's armed forces against Russian civilians and civilian infrastructure.

"We note that not everyone has heeded these warnings and that people are knowingly exposing their lives to mortal danger. Many embassies are working in Kyiv; foreign officials are traveling to Ukraine on visits," the statement said.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry again warns foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions, against staying in Ukraine and traveling to its territory," it said.

The ministry said Moscow first urged foreigners and diplomats to leave Kyiv, and Ukrainians to stay away from military and administrative facilities, in a May 25 statement, diplomatic notes to foreign partners and a May 27 briefing for the diplomatic corps by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

It noted that several countries, including the U.S., Britain, EU members, Norway and Switzerland, have repeatedly advised their own citizens not to travel to Ukraine, most recently in August.

A police officer walks down the stairs searching for drone components that did not explode at a damaged school following a drone strike in Kyiv on October 1, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Kyiv under intensifying attack

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Friday the capital should now be on a war footing as Russian strikes on bridges and energy infrastructure were "tearing Kyiv apart."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of abandoning the rules of war by sanctioning massive attacks on civilian areas, an accusation the Kremlin has rejected.

October 03, 2026 02:36 PM GMT+03:00