Breaking
By Thomas Mercer • May 25, 2026
Russia has ordered all foreign citizens to leave Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and has vowed to continue what it calls revenge attacks against Ukrainian military targets — raising the prospect of further devastating strikes in the coming days.
The warning, issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday, cited intelligence assessments suggesting additional Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory and said Moscow would respond with “proportionate and overwhelming force” if provoked again. It came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky called on world leaders to increase pressure on Russia following Sunday’s mass bombardment of the Ukrainian capital.
Sunday’s Barrage: What Happened
On Sunday night, Russia launched one of the most intense attacks of the three-year war against Kyiv. Ukrainian officials confirmed at least four people were killed and more than 20 injured in the overnight bombardment, which struck multiple districts of the capital. The attack centred on residential areas in central and eastern Kyiv, causing damage to buildings, infrastructure and at least one hospital, according to emergency services.
Among the weapons deployed was at least one Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile — a weapon Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously brandished as a demonstration of Russia’s advanced strike capabilities. The Kremlin said the attack was a “retaliatory strike” in response to a Ukrainian drone assault on a student dormitory in the Russian-held city of Kramatorsk on Friday, which Moscow said killed 21 people.
Ukraine’s military denied responsibility for the Kramatorsk strike, calling it a “false flag” operation orchestrated by Russian forces. International observers have called for an independent investigation into what happened at the dormitory, which is located in Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky Demands Global Response
In a video address late Sunday, Zelensky condemned the attacks on Kyiv and reiterated his call for Western allies to supply Ukraine with longer-range weapons and enhanced air defence systems.
“Every day we ask for permission to defend our cities. Every day, the world debates while our people are killed,” Zelensky said. “This cannot continue. The pressure on Russia must be dialled up — not tomorrow, not next week. Now.”
The Ukrainian leader also said he had spoken with several European heads of state on Sunday and Monday morning, urging them to impose new sanctions on Russia’s energy and defence sectors. A meeting of EU foreign ministers has been called for Thursday to discuss the situation.
Moscow’s Warning
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement on Monday was unusually direct, ordering diplomatic personnel and foreign nationals to depart “immediately” and warning that embassies could not guarantee their safety if they remained. The statement accused Kyiv of planning further attacks inside Russia and said Moscow “will not show restraint.”
Britain, Germany and France have all urged their citizens in Kyiv to leave the country. The United States State Department issued an updated travel advisory on Monday, advising all American citizens to depart Ukraine “using available commercial or private means.”
Diplomatic sources in Brussels told Media Hook that the EU was preparing an emergency package of military aid that could include additional Patriot missile defence batteries and long-range artillery shells. Final approval is expected before the end of the week.
Civilians Bear the Brunt
For residents of Kyiv, the threat of more strikes has returned a familiar dread. Overnight curfews have been extended and city authorities have urged residents to remain near bomb shelters. Metro stations were opened overnight as public shelters for the second consecutive night.
“We thought it was over — that somehow the talks would lead somewhere,” said Olena Petrenko, 41, a teacher in central Kyiv, speaking to Media Hook by phone. “Sunday showed us it is not over. The missiles can come back at any moment.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Monday it was preparing emergency supplies for up to 50,000 civilians who may be displaced if the offensive intensifies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called on both sides to respect international humanitarian law and ensure civilians are protected.
The war, now in its fourth year, has killed more than 60,000 people on both sides, according to UN estimates, and displaced millions more across Europe.
