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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Independent Reporters

Ukraine war briefing: Diplomats refuse to leave Kyiv after Russia’s threat

  • Russia issued a stark warning to foreign nationals, diplomatic missions and staff to leave Kyiv, announcing plans for "systematic strikes" against Ukrainian defence industry facilities and decision-making centres, a message reiterated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the US.
  • Despite Russia's warning, European Union, French, and Polish diplomatic missions publicly declared they would not depart Kyiv, with Ukraine's foreign ministry saying the security threat level remains unchanged and offering support for additional security measures.
  • Russia launched more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles overnight, continuing aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv, prompting air raid warnings.
  • Ukraine's defence ministry reported significant success in damaging Russia's air defence capabilities, claiming to have destroyed over 80 air defence systems since March and intensifying its strike campaign against them.
  • Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kyiv, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss Russia's efforts to further involve Belarus in the conflict and emphasising that a democratic Belarus is crucial for regional stability.

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