Russia on Saturday renewed its warning to diplomats and foreign nationals to leave Kyiv, threatening the Ukrainian capital with "massive" attacks, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“The Russian side has previously called on foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel located in Kiev to leave the city and refrain from travelling to Ukraine. Russian authorities have also urged Ukrainian residents to stay away from military and administrative facilities,” said the ministry statement.
“We note with concern that not everyone has taken these warnings into account and that some individuals are knowingly placing themselves in mortal danger,” said the ministry, noting that a number of foreign embassies continue to operate in Kyiv, while foreign officials continue to visit Ukraine.
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to carry out large-scale retaliatory strikes,” warned Russia.
The warning comes amid an escalation in attacks linked to the war in Ukraine.
Separately, Russia attacked a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel at a Ukrainian Black Sea port in the Odesa region, killing one person and injuring three others, according to the agency responsible for managing Ukraine's ports.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the agency said 13 crew members evacuated the vessel safely.
Source: AFP, Reuters, ERT
