Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced what it described as the start of “systematic strikes” against Ukraine’s defense industry facilities in Kyiv, while urging foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel to leave the capital.
In a statement published Monday, the ministry said the decision followed an alleged Ukrainian attack on a dormitory in the Russian-occupied city of Starobilsk in Luhansk region, claiming the incident had “exhausted Russia’s patience.”
Moscow said Russian forces would target Ukrainian defense industry sites involved in the design, production, programming, and deployment of drones it alleges are used by Ukraine with “NATO assistance.”
It also warned of possible strikes on what it called “decision-making centers” and military command posts.
The ministry advised Kyiv residents to avoid military and administrative infrastructure and urged foreign citizens to leave the city “as soon as possible.”
Starobilsk attack claims and conflicting accounts
Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone strike hit a student dormitory and college complex in Starobilsk on Friday, reporting 21 dead and up to 63 injured. Search-and-rescue operations ended on Saturday after all victims were recovered.
Ukraine has rejected the accusations, saying its forces did not target civilians.
The General Staff said Ukrainian units instead struck a Russian military facility in the Starobilsk area, specifically the headquarters of the Rubikon drone unit, which Kyiv says is involved in attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine strike only military infrastructure and facilities used for military purposes,” the General Staff said, adding that all operations comply with international humanitarian law.
Starobilsk has been under Russian occupation since the early stages of the full-scale invasion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to prepare retaliatory measures following the incident.
Kyiv under heavy overnight barrage
In the aftermath, Russia carried out one of its largest aerial assaults since the beginning of the war.
Overnight, between Saturday and Sunday, Moscow launched around 90 missiles and more than 600 drones on Kyiv, in what officials have described as one of the heaviest strikes to date.
Ukrainian authorities said at least two people were killed and 87 injured as of Monday, while emergency services continued search-and-rescue operations across the capital.
Ukraine’s Recovery Ministry said it received nearly 1,000 applications for housing compensation in Kyiv following the weekend barrage, underscoring the scale of damage to residential areas and infrastructure.
Russia has repeatedly issued similar warnings during the war while continuing strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Kyiv and its Western allies accuse Moscow of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, a claim Russia repeatedly denies.