“The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeals to the country's state authorities/organization's leadership to treat this call with the utmost responsibility and ensure the timely evacuation of diplomatic staff and other missions, as well as its citizens from Kiev,” Moscow said in a note received by foreign diplomats.
The spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the reason was “the inevitability of an attack by Russian forces on Kiev, including decision-making centers, if Ukraine implements plans to disrupt the celebration of Victory Day on May 9 in Moscow.”
— Zelensky allowed himself to make aggressive and threatening statements about his intention to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow through terrorist acts. Representatives of some EU countries heard this. None of them admonished the Ukrainian leader, said Maria Zakharova.
Ineffective ceasefire
Ukraine has entered into a ceasefire with Russia from midnight Tuesday to Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced earlier. In turn, Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire on May 8 and 9.
Before the ceasefire was in force, four people were killed and 16 injured in the Russian attack on the Dnieper. However, Putin's army continued drone attacks after midnight, violating the ceasefire. “The Russian Federation has once again shown complete disregard for all humanitarian initiatives and agreements,” says “Ukrainska Pravda.” Ukrinform reported on Wednesday morning that an airstrike also took place in Zaporizhia, where explosions were heard. An air alarm was then announced in the city.
Volodymyr Zelensky's reaction
The President of Ukraine said that since the beginning of the day, Russian forces have carried out 1,820 attacks. “Russia's choice means an obvious abandonment of the ceasefire and saving lives,” he wrote on social media on Wednesday.
He also warned that Ukraine may respond with a “mirror response” during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, referring to Russia's insistent appeals in the media and on social media for silence during the Moscow parade.
