Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Russia Warns Diplomats to Leave Kyiv, Vows Further Strikes
Russia told foreign visitors and diplomats to leave Ukraine, especially Kyiv.
It warned that more attacks would happen.
Russia says its attacks target military sites and are retaliation for Ukrainian attacks.
Ukraine says Russia has attacked civilian areas, which Russia denies.
A Russian strike damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge and disrupted traffic.
Reports also described deaths and injuries in Kharkiv and the Odesa region.
Kyiv’s mayor said the city should be on a war footing after attacks on bridges and energy infrastructure.
Both countries say they do not deliberately attack civilians or civilian infrastructure.
Russia urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Ukraine, warning that it would continue strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Moscow described the strikes as targeted attacks on military facilities and retaliation for Ukrainian attacks; it said people ignoring its warning would bear responsibility for adverse consequences.
Russian strikes damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River, disrupting traffic; the reports also describe wider damage to bridges and energy infrastructure.
One report said the latest wave of attacks killed at least six people, including five in Kharkiv and a sailor aboard a civilian cargo ship in the Odesa region.
Ukraine accused Russia of attacking civilian areas, while Russia rejected that accusation; both countries deny deliberately targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.
- Who
- The Russian Foreign Ministry, foreign nationals and diplomats in Ukraine, and Ukrainian officials including Vitali Klitschko and Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- Russia urged foreigners and diplomats to leave and said it would continue strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
- When
- The warning was issued on Saturday, October 3; the year is not stated in the reports.
- Where
- Kyiv and other locations in Ukraine, including Kharkiv and the Odesa region.
- Why
- Russia described the strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks and warned that those who ignored its departure warning could face consequences.
Ukrainian Claims
Russian Position
Targets of Russian strikes
Ukrainian Claims
Volodymyr Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin of authorizing massive attacks on civilian areas and violating the rules of armed conflict.
Russian Position
Russia said its strikes are targeted at military facilities and are retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Damage to the Northern Bridge
Ukrainian Claims
The reports describe damage to the bridge, traffic disruption, and pressure on Kyiv residents; Ukraine's account characterizes Russia's wider campaign as striking civilian areas and infrastructure.
Russian Position
Russia's Defence Ministry said the bridge was used to support the movement of Ukrainian troops and military supplies.
Responsibility for consequences
Ukrainian Claims
Ukraine's accounts describe civilian deaths, injuries, and disruption from Russian strikes.
Russian Position
Russia warned that responsibility for adverse consequences would lie with those who ignored its warning to leave.
- Warning issuer
- Russian Foreign Ministry
- Warning date
- Saturday, October 3; year not stated
- People warned
- Foreign nationals and diplomats, including diplomatic mission staff
- Russian account of strikes
- Targeted strikes on military facilities, described as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks
- Kyiv infrastructure damage
- The Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River was damaged, disrupting traffic; other bridges and energy infrastructure were also cited
- Reported casualties
- One report said the fresh wave of attacks killed at least six people; it separately reported five deaths in Kharkiv and one sailor killed in the Odesa region
- Kyiv population
- About 3 million residents
- Competing claims
- Ukraine accused Russia of attacking civilian areas; Russia rejected the accusation. Both countries deny deliberately targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.
