Russia warns diplomats in Ukraine capital to leave in case of ‘retaliatory strike’

Moscow says it will respond to any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt Saturday’s Victory Day commemorations

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.

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 May 9 with a massive military parade through Red Square.

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

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