Russia warns foreign diplomats to evacuate Kyiv, threatens strikes if Ukraine disrupts Victory Day celebrations

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned foreign diplomats to evacuate Kyiv on May 7, 2025, threatening retaliatory mass strikes on decision-making centres if Ukraine disrupts May 9 Victory Day commemorations and the Red Square military parade. Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-9 while removing military hardware from the parade and implementing internet shutdowns in Moscow, moves Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mocked as fear of Ukrainian drones. The threats came as both sides escalated attacks, with at least four people killed in Russian strikes on May 7 including two at a Sumy kindergarten, and Ukraine striking Cheboksary deep inside Russia on May 6. The confrontation highlights tensions in the four-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands, with Russia demanding Ukraine withdraw from four claimed regions that Kyiv considers unacceptable.

Russian threats and evacuation warnings ahead of Victory Day

• ▪Russia threatened to attack Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted World War II commemorations in Moscow scheduled for May 9, 2025
• ▪Russia warned it would launch a retaliatory strike on Kyiv, including against decision-making centres, if Ukraine disrupted the May 9 commemorations
• ▪Moscow started intermittent city-wide internet shutdowns lasting until May 9, 2025
• ▪Russia marks World War II Victory Day each year on May 9 with a massive military parade through Red Square
• ▪Russia sent an evacuation warning to foreign diplomats in Kyiv on Wednesday, May 7, 2025
• ▪Moscow removed military hardware from the May 9 parade for the first time in almost 20 years
• ▪Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between May 8 and May 9, 2025 to coincide with World War II commemorations

Competing ceasefire proposals and continued fighting

• ▪Ukrainian officials reported multiple attacks throughout Wednesday, May 7, 2025, when Ukraine's unilateral ceasefire was due to be in force
• ▪Ukraine proposed a ceasefire for May 6, 2025, which Russia ignored
• ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for demanding a ceasefire on May 9, 2025
• ▪At least four people died in Russian attacks on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, including two at a kindergarten in the northern Sumy region
• ▪The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted more than four years as of May 2025

Escalating drone and missile strikes deep into Russian territory

• ▪Ukrainian attacks have created a sense of unease in Russia ahead of the May 9, 2025 Victory Day parade
• ▪Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up strikes in recent weeks as of May 2025

Perspective of Russia

• ▪Russia views the May 9 Victory Day parade as a sacred commemoration that must be protected from disruption