Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Russian Foreign Ministry sent an appeal to all accredited diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organizations to evacuate diplomats from Kiev.
It quoted a memorandum sent by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The document states that on May 4, the Russian Defense Ministry threatened to strike Ukraine “in connection with the Kiev regime’s threats to strike Moscow on a sacred holiday for all Russians – Victory Day.”
The authors of the memo stated that the message from the Russian military administration should be treated “with the utmost responsibility.” The Foreign Ministry called for “ensuring the early evacuation” of foreign diplomats from the Ukrainian capital “due to the inevitability of retaliation.” [российского] A “strike” on Kiev and “decision-making centers” in the event of a Ukrainian attack on May 9.
Zakharova recalled “how events developed” in recent days, which led to escalation. It claims that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky threatened to “disrupt Victory Day in Moscow with terrorist attacks.” In response, the Russian Defense Ministry published its threats on the same day.
May 4 Zelensky at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan maleThe truncated format of the parade in Moscow – which will be held this year without military equipment – speaks to the Russian authorities’ fear of Ukrainian drones. “They cannot buy military equipment, and they are afraid that drones will fly over Red Square. This is an indicator – it shows that they are not strong,” Zelensky said.
However, at first Russian and Ukrainian The media circulated Zelensky’s quote with an error. Due to inaccuracies in translation, the statement was taken as a threat that Ukraine might launch a drone strike on Moscow on May 9.
On the same day, the Russian Defense Ministry used an incorrect quote from Zelensky to justify its threats. At the same time about the error became known A few hours before publication Data Departments.
Zakharova said: “We are not speaking from a position of aggression, but rather we are speaking from a position of inevitable response to aggression.”
Russia and Ukraine announced on May 4 that they would temporarily cease fire, but they did not agree on the terms of the truce. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that there will be a “truce in honor of the celebration of Victory Day” on May 8 and 9. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky declared a “state of silence” effective from midnight on May 6.
On May 6, Zelensky accused Russia of violating the “regime of silence.” PointingAnd that Ukraine “will act in a mirror manner.” “Depending on the situation night and tomorrow, we will also decide on our absolutely fair answers,” the Ukrainian leader said on Wednesday evening.