KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched over 100 drones and two ballistic missiles aimed at Ukraine overnight, escalating tensions in the region. The Ukrainian foreign ministry remarked that Moscow's recent threats to intensify airstrikes on Kyiv were not unexpected, as such actions have become a consistent aspect of the conflict.
On Monday, Russia advised foreign citizens, including diplomatic personnel, to leave Kyiv immediately and warned residents to avoid military and government sites. The Russian government stated that preparations for "systemic strikes" against the Ukrainian capital were underway.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov communicated with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the United States to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Kyiv, as reported by the Russian foreign ministry. While Rubio refrained from indicating whether such a step would be taken, he expressed concerns during his trip to India about the potential escalation of the "terrible" war in Ukraine.
Despite the heightened security threats, there have been no official announcements regarding the departure of diplomats from Kyiv. Delegations from the European Union, France, and Poland publicly stated their intent to remain in the city, signaling a commitment to maintaining diplomatic presence amid the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine's foreign ministry emphasized that the level of threat posed by Russia to Kyiv and other cities has remained consistent with previous months and years. The ministry pointed out that missile and drone attacks from Russia have been a continual reality for over four years, and assured that Ukraine stands ready to support diplomatic missions in enhancing their security measures.
In recent developments, Russia asserted that its most significant missile attack of the year was a retaliation against a Ukrainian drone strike that reportedly targeted a college dormitory in Starobilsk, located in the Luhansk region occupied by Russia. However, the Ukrainian General Staff clarified that the strike had hit the local commander of Russia's military drone unit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on the ongoing shortage of advanced American-made air defense systems necessary to counter Russian ballistic missile threats. He lamented the lack of progress in expanding anti-ballistic capabilities with the United States and indicated that Ukraine is actively collaborating with European partners to enhance its own defensive capabilities.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukrainian forces have achieved stabilization along the 1,250-kilometer front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, indicating that they have been able to maintain their positions against Russia's larger military forces in recent months. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War suggested that the spring offensive by Russia is stalling, as Ukraine's mid-range drone strikes are disrupting Russian supply lines.
According to the think tank, Moscow's threats of increased strikes may be an attempt to shift public attention away from its inadequacies on the battlefield and the economic difficulties arising from both the costs of war and international sanctions.
Reporting from Lisbon, Portugal, Elise Morton contributed from London.
For ongoing coverage of the war in Ukraine, visit the Associated Press at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
