The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday it had sent a note to all foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited with the ministry, urging them to ensure evacuating personnel from Kiev.
According to the statement, the note referenced a warning on Monday by the Russian Defense Ministry about threats from the Ukrainian authorities to carry out attacks on Moscow during Victory Day celebrations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on governments and organizations to take the warning with maximum responsibility and ensure the timely evacuation of their staff and citizens from Kiev, given the “inevitability of a retaliatory strike” by the Russian forces against Kiev if Ukraine interrupts the celebrations.
The ministry said Russian diplomatic missions abroad were also informing the countries of accreditation and international organizations of the situation.
On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry warned that any attempts to disrupt the celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War would trigger a “massive missile strike” on central Kiev.
Victory Day, observed annually on May 9 to mark the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War, is one of Russia’s most important national holidays. The Kremlin said in late April that a military parade would still be held in Red Square without military equipment because of security concerns.