A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov told Rubio in a telephone conversation that the step was taken “in response to the ongoing terrorist attacks by the regime in Kiev against the civilian population and civilian objects on Russian territory.”
It added that the Russian armed forces “are starting systematic attacks on facilities located in Kiev that are used for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as on centers where appropriate decisions are made.” The US Department of State has not yet reported the Secretary of State's conversation with Lavrov.
Earlier on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned that the country's armed forces were launching a series of methodical strikes against military and industrial facilities in Kiev, and therefore advised foreigners to leave the Ukrainian capital as soon as possible.
Attacks on Ukraine
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the attacks would be in retaliation for what was described as a deliberate drone attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on a teaching building and a dormitory in Starobilsk on Friday. Ukraine denied these accusations and explained that the target of the attack was the unit directing drone attacks.
Over the weekend, Russian forces conducted intensive attacks on the Kiev Oblast and the capital. According to the Ukrainian authorities, on the night from Saturday to Sunday, Russia fired 600 drones and 90 missiles, including the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile. Four people were killed and about a hundred were injured.
