Russia has urged all nations with embassies in Kyiv to evacuate personnel after announcing that it planned to launch systematic strikes on “decision-making centers” and Ukrainian military command posts in the Ukrainian capital on Monday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the “systematic and sustained strikes” will additionally target “enterprises of the Ukrainian defense industry,” including drone production and development facilities.
In a statement, the ministry said that all foreign nationals, including diplomatic personnel, “need to leave the city as soon as possible.”
According to Russian state media site TASS, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Lavrov explained to Rubio what led Russia to launch the strikes.
Ryabkov also reportedly said that although no agreement has been reached on a visit by US representatives, Russia is not abandoning dialogue with the US.
On Sunday, Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv, killing four and wounding more than 80 in an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones.
According to Ukrainian officials, dozens of residential buildings and schools were damaged in the attack.
