Russia warns diplomats, foreigners to leave Kyiv

Russia has ordered diplomats and foreigners to depart Kyiv, warning the city of impending massive strikes, according to a statement released by the country's foreign ministry. Moscow has been launching drone and missile barrages against Ukraine, with a recent surge in attacks targeting Kyiv's infrastructure. The Russian foreign ministry stated that it had previously advised foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the city and avoid travel to Ukraine.

The ministry expressed concern over those who disregarded the warnings, acknowledging that they knowingly put themselves in grave danger. The Russian Armed Forces pledged to continue delivering massive retaliatory strikes, contending that sole responsibility for any potential negative consequences lies with those who ignore the warning.

A recent Russian strike targeted a major bridge in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported, causing traffic chaos in the capital. The Northern Bridge, a significant crossing, was hit after a drone alert and suffered damage to its road surface and trolleybus wires, blocking traffic from the left bank to the right. This is one of several attacks on Kyiv's bridges, with the Southern Bridge also being hit recently.

The city's mayor warned that Kyiv should now operate under a war footing. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia's Vladimir Putin of disregarding the rules of armed conflict by targeting civilian areas, a claim the Kremlin dismissed. Earlier, Russian forces attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in Odesa, Ukraine's Black Sea port, resulting in one death and three injuries.

Additionally, a Ukrainian missile strike killed one person and injured two others in Russia's Belgorod region, located near Ukraine's border.