Lavrov tells Rubio of Russian decision to strike Kyiv sites linked to military
Lavrov said Moscow would begin systematic strikes on Ukraine’s command centers and urged foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, after a disputed attack in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
- On May 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Moscow would launch "systematic and consistent strikes" on Kyiv's "decision-making centers" and urged the U.S. to "ensure the evacuation of their diplomatic personnel," according to a Russian Foreign Ministry readout.
- Russia cited a disputed May 22 Ukrainian drone strike in Starobilsk, Luhansk Oblast as justification; Moscow claimed 21 people were killed in a dormitory, while Ukraine's General Staff reported striking a Russian drone command facility and called the claim "misleading information."
- Russia's Foreign Ministry stated strikes would target "specific sites where drones are designed, manufactured, programmed, and prepared for use by the Kyiv regime with the assistance of NATO specialists." Nearly 100 emergency personnel attended damage sites across Kyiv where around 300 locations, including nearly 150 homes, were damaged.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha rejected the threats as "Russian blackmail," urging a "proportional" Western response including "additional aid packages and additional sanctions." The State Department has not yet provided its own readout of the call.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on May 25 authorizing military deployments abroad to "protect Russian citizens" facing persecution by foreign nations, expanding Moscow's legal framework as Russia has historically refrained from striking Kyiv's central government buildings despite possessing the capability.
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Moscow also alerted the foreign embassies in the Ukrainian capital. Kiev classifies the statements of the Russian minister as "disgusted provocation".
Lavrov tells Rubio US nationals should evacuate Kyiv
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Lavrov notifies Rubio of impending 'systematic strikes' on Kiev
Moscow has vowed to strike military and government sites across the Ukrainian capital in retaliation for continuing "terrorist attacks" Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning him that long-range strikes against Kiev are imminent, while reiterating the "recommendation" that foreigners evacuate the Ukrainian capital immediately. Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced a …
Russia Calls for Foreigners & Diplomats to Leave Kyiv Before Wave of Strikes, Ukraine Says Russia is Trying to “Blackmail” Diplomats
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. Russia has threatened to launch a wave of “systematic strikes” against Kyiv and urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital, days after carrying out one of i…
Russia Just Took the Gloves Off: Lavrov Called Rubio to Announce Ukraine Escalation Before Launching the Largest Aerial Attack of the War
On May 25, 2026, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov placed a phone call to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The substance of what Lavrov said in that call has now been confirmed by the Russian Foreign Ministry’s own readout and tracked across multiple Western and Ukrainian outlets. Moscow had decided to begin striking what it called the “decision-making centers” of the Ukrainian government in Kyiv. Lavrov urged Rubio to “ensure the evacu…
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