Russia warns diplomats in Kyiv, EU says won’t evacuate

MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv that it would attack the city if Ukraine disrupted World War II commemorations in Moscow this weekend, as attacks from both sides continued into Thursday.

Russia did not elaborate on its threat, and Ukraine did not immediately respond.

The European Union (EU) said on Thursday it would not leave Kyiv.

“As to us, the EU, we will not change our posture or presence in Kyiv. Russian attacks are... unfortunately, a daily reality in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine,” EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said.

Russia and Ukraine traded strikes on Thursday, wounding 13 people in the Russian border city of Bryansk and one person in Ukraine’s Dnipro, officials from both sides said.

Russia marks World War II Victory Day each year on 9 May with a massive military parade through Red Square.

The country this week declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between 8 and 9 May to coincide with the commemorations.

In a note to foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations Wednesday, Russia warned it would launch a “retaliatory strike” on the Ukrainian capital, “including against decision-making centers,” if Ukraine disrupted the commemorations this Saturday.

It urged them to “ensure the timely evacuation of personnel from diplomatic and other missions, as well as citizens, from the city of Kyiv.”

There was no immediate reaction from Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested on Monday that Moscow was afraid Ukrainian drones would “buzz over Red Square.”

Ukraine proposed its own ceasefire for 6 May, which Russia ignored.

“Today, virtually all day long, virtually every hour, we have been receiving reports of strikes from various regions,” the Ukrainian leader said.

In his evening address, Zelensky said Ukraine would “respond in kind” to Russia’s violations and decide its next steps accordingly.

Ukrainian officials reported multiple attacks throughout Wednesday when Ukraine’s unilateral ceasefire was due to be in force. At least four people died in the attacks, including two at a kindergarten in the northern Sumy region, according to officials.

On Thursday, a Russian strike wounded one person in the central-eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the regional administration said.