Russia has escalated its military offensive against Ukraine with a fresh wave of attacks involving advanced “Oreshnik” hypersonic ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones. The strikes, described as among the most intense in recent weeks, targeted multiple locations across Ukraine, further deepening the ongoing conflict and raising international concern over a possible wider escalation.
Following the strikes, Moscow issued a strong warning stating that future operations would specifically target key government buildings, defence-related industries, drone manufacturing units, and military command centres in Kyiv. The Russian government also called for the immediate evacuation of foreign diplomats, international organisation representatives, and civilians from the Ukrainian capital, cautioning that upcoming attacks could be significantly more severe.
The Russian Foreign Ministry further urged civilians in Kyiv to avoid military and administrative zones, indicating that the intensity of operations may increase in the coming days. The advisory has heightened fears among residents and foreign personnel, as Russia suggested it cannot guarantee safety in designated high-risk areas during the anticipated escalation.
In a significant diplomatic development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the discussion, Lavrov reportedly urged the evacuation of US diplomatic staff from Kyiv, warning that impending military actions could be extremely severe and unpredictable in nature.
Meanwhile, Ukraine rejected Russia’s warnings, stating that it will not be intimidated by threats and will continue to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ukrainian government reaffirmed its commitment to resisting aggression, even as tensions continue to rise and the risk of further escalation looms over the region.