The Kremlin has threatened to carry out “retaliatory” strikes against Kyiv, including against so-called “decision-making centers,” if Ukraine “interferes” with the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on the 9th of May, reports Dialog.ua.
Russia has reportedly “encouraged” representatives of foreign embassies to leave Kyiv in advance, claiming that the Russian army would attack the Ukrainian capital if the Ukrainian armed forces “interfere” with the military parade in Moscow on the 9th of May. This statement was made by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Zakharova claimed that the Russian military would carry out “retaliatory” strikes not only against Kyiv but also against “decision-making centers.” She said Western diplomats should take the warning “very, very seriously.”
Zakharova also stated that foreign embassies in Kyiv had allegedly already received a diplomatic note urging evacuation.
The threats from the Russian Foreign Ministry came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to what Ukraine described as Russian violations of ceasefire conditions set overnight between the 5th and the 6th of May.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that Kyiv would provide a “fair response” to Russian attacks after the ceasefire announcement.
He also stated that the holding of the military parade on the 9th of May in Moscow now depended on the actions of the Ukrainian army.
Russia has not officially responded to the ceasefire declared by Ukraine on the 6th of May.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordered a ceasefire for the 8th and 9th of May. Zelenskyy believes this was a tactical move aimed at preventing Ukrainian drones from disrupting the Moscow military parade, which remains one of the Kremlin’s key propaganda events. Following the ceasefire announcement, Russia reportedly began preparing for a massive missile strike against Ukraine.
Russian state media have also issued threats against Kyiv should Ukraine fail to observe the ceasefire, when Russia marks Victory Day.
Russian outlets published a so-called “target list” in an attempt to “dissuade” Ukraine from carrying out strikes,
according to Dialog.ua.
Russian federal television channels, including programs hosted by propagandist Olga Skabeyeva, openly named potential targets in Kyiv for a large-scale missile strike in the event of an attack on Moscow ahead of the planned parade. Analysts consider this an attempt at psychological pressure.
The propaganda broadcasts named several possible targets, including the government quarter housing the buildings of the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Presidential Office. Law enforcement institutions were also mentioned, including the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and other “decision-making centers,” as well as diplomatic missions.
Foreign embassies located in central Kyiv were also listed as being in the “risk zone,” including the embassies of Armenia, Latvia, and Japan, as well as those of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Most independent analysts and military experts view these statements as classic bluffing and blackmail.
Attacks on NATO member state embassies would represent an unprecedented escalation. Journalist Michael Weiss described the threats as a “desperate attempt” to pressure Western countries into influencing Kyiv in order to avoid humiliation on parade day. He also noted that Russia already regularly attacks Kyiv regardless of the safety of diplomats.
Experts emphasize that strikes against administrative buildings in central Kyiv would not change the situation on the front lines or influence the outcome of the war, but would instead serve primarily as tools of domestic propaganda and intimidation.
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