conflictWednesday, May 6, 20267 sources

Russia Threatens 'Massive Missile Attack' on Kyiv If Ukraine Disrupts Victory Day Commemorations

Russia warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv to evacuate the city, threatening a 'massive' missile attack if Ukraine disrupted commemorations of World War II Victory Day. The warning came amid ongoing cross-border attacks that injured 13 in Bryansk and one in Dnipro. Ukraine did not immediately respond to the threats.

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a circular note urging foreign states to evacuate their diplomats from Kyiv, citing the Defense Ministry's statements as a warning. The Russian Defense Ministry had previously warned of retaliatory strikes if Ukraine attacked during Victory Day celebrations. The threat was described as a potential 'massive missile attack' by some outlets, while others reported it as a 'retaliatory strike' if Ukraine disrupted commemorations.

Where Sources Diverge

Al-Jazeera and France24 report the threat as a potential retaliatory strike if Ukraine disrupts commemorations, while RTE and Rferl emphasize the possibility of a 'massive' missile attack.

al-jazeera

Moscow threatens retaliatory strikes if Ukraine attacks Russia during Victory Day commemorations.

rte

Russia has warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv that it would attack the city if Ukraine disrupted World War II commemorations in Moscow this weekend.

rferl

Russia warned Kyiv-based diplomats and representatives of international organizations to prepare to evacuate the Ukrainian capital, saying its forces would launch a 'massive' missile attack against the city if Ukraine disrupted its May 9 World War II commemorations.

Tass reports the Russian Foreign Ministry called on foreign states to evacuate their diplomats from Kiev, while another Tass article mentions the Russian Foreign Ministry's appeal to take defense ministry statements with utmost responsibility.

tass

Russian Foreign Ministry called on foreign states to evacuate their diplomats from Kiev.

tass

Russian Foreign Ministry, in a circular note addressed to all diplomatic missions and representations accredited in Russia, once again appealed with an urgent call to take the defense ministry’s statements with the utmost responsibility.

Timelines

Sources

StateTASSMay 7, 05:55 PM
God forbid Russia has to strike Kiev in response to threats — Kremlin

The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a circular note addressed to all diplomatic missions and representations accredited in Russia, once again appealed with an urgent call to take the defense ministry’s statements with the utmost responsibility, Yury Ushakov said

PublicRTEMay 7, 10:07 AM
Russia warns Kyiv diplomats to evacuate in case of strike

Russia has 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 continue.

IndependentSouth China Morning PostMay 7, 09:14 AM
Russia warns diplomats in Ukraine capital to evacuate in case of ‘retaliatory strike’

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...

PublicFrance 24May 7, 02:29 AM
Russia warns foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv in case of strike

Russia warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv on Wednesday to evacuate the city ahead of Moscow's World War II Victory Day celebrations, threatening retaliatory strikes if Ukraine disrupts commemorations tied to the May 9 military parade in Red Square.

PublicRadio Free EuropeMay 7, 02:20 AM
Russia Warns Kyiv-Based Diplomats Of 'Massive Attack' If Ukraine Disrupts May 9 Ceremonies

Russia warned Kyiv-based diplomats and representatives of international organizations to prepare to evacuate the Ukrainian capital, saying its forces would launch a "massive" missile attack against the city if Ukraine disrupted its May 9 World War II commemorations.

IndependentAl JazeeraMay 7, 01:30 AM
Russia tells diplomats to leave Kyiv in case Moscow launches mass strikes

Moscow threatens retaliatory strikes if Ukraine attacks Russia during Victory Day commemorations.

StateTASSMay 6, 11:36 PM
Russian Foreign Ministry calls on foreign states to evacuate their diplomats from Kiev

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that on May 4, 2026, the Defense Ministry issued an official statement "in connection with the threats of the Kiev regime to strike Moscow on a sacred holiday for all Russians - Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War