Zakharova threatens a major attack on Kiev if Moscow is targeted on Victory Day. Message to embassies

The spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, spoke about the possibility of a large-scale attack by Russian forces on the Ukrainian capital, “including decision-making centers”, in the event that Ukraine attacks Moscow on Victory Day, on May 9.

According to a post on the Facebook page of the Russian Embassy in Bucharest, Maria Zaharova said that accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations were sent a note with the following content:

“On May 4, 2026, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation published an official statement in connection with the threats of the Kiev regime to strike Moscow on the sacred holiday for all Russians – Victory Day in the Great War for the Defense of the Motherland.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia strongly urges the authorities of your country / the leadership of your organization to treat this statement with the utmost responsibility and ensure the timely evacuation from Kyiv of the personnel of diplomatic and other missions, as well as citizens, in connection with the inevitability of a retaliatory attack by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on Kyiv, including decision-making centers, in the event that the Kyiv regime implements its criminal plans and terrorists in the days of the celebration of the Great Victory”.

What the president of Ukraine said

In a recent visit to Yerevan, President Volodymyr Zelensky had said that the Ukrainian army could target the May 9 parade in Moscow. Today, instead, he suggested his country's forces could attack other regions of Russia as authorities focus on events in the capital.

“We note that in recent weeks additional air defense rings have been built around Moscow at the cost of a large-scale redeployment of systems in Russia's regions. This indicates that the Russian leadership is not preparing for the cease-fire that has been the subject of so many statements and is more concerned with its parade in Moscow than with the rest of Russia,” said the Ukrainian leader, quoted by Ukrainska Pravda.

“At the same time, we note that this creates additional opportunities for our long-range sanctions. We will define our corresponding priorities,” the Ukrainian president concluded.

Armistice proposals are an obvious rejection of the ceasefire and the saving of human lives,” said the Ukrainian president, quoted by Reuters.