Tensions Rise as Russia Warns of More Strikes on Kyiv

On May 26, 2026, Russia issued a stark warning to the United States and other nations with diplomats in Kyiv, advising them to leave the Ukrainian capital to avoid ‘systematic strikes’. This message comes amid a new wave of intense attacks.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio received a personal notice from his Russian counterpart, reiterating the call for U.S. diplomats to evacuate Kyiv. Rubio also offered U.S. mediation to resume stalled peace talks.

European countries, however, dismissed Russia’s directive, choosing to stay and labeling the threat as ‘desperate’. Several nations called in Russian ambassadors to protest.

This escalation follows a recent heavy bombardment in Kyiv, the most severe since the war began four years ago. It involved Russia’s use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

Residents in Kyiv are anxious. Lesia Homiak, a local resident, shared her experience when a missile hit near her apartment in Podil. Her home suffered significant damage but she and her partner, Andriy Klen, survived. Homiak said, “We are lucky to be alive.”

“We came back and saw total carnage,” Homiak said, describing the extensive damage to her apartment.

Russia announced plans for more attacks targeting military sites in Kyiv, including ‘decision-making centers’. This would be in retaliation for a drone strike in Luhansk that killed 21 people, which Russia attributes to Ukraine. Ukraine denies this, stating their target was a nearby military unit.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has indicated its patience is wearing thin, with plans for intensified actions on Kyiv. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to provide specifics on these attacks’ frequency.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov informed Rubio of forthcoming ‘systematic and sequential strikes’, urging evacuation of U.S. diplomats. U.S. diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with President Donald Trump focusing on Iran.

In contrast, U.S. allies like the E.U. mission in Kyiv, led by Katarina Mathernova, responded firmly, calling the Russian threat a ‘masterpiece of hypocrisy’. France and Poland also condemned the warnings.

As the situation remains tense, Homiak and Klen, while concerned, plan to stay in Kyiv. They have decided to use the city’s subway for safety during attacks.

Russia’s military bloggers, disgruntled with domestic issues and lack of battlefield progress, view the potential intensification of strikes on Kyiv favorably, seeking decisive actions.

This report involved contributions from Anastasiia Parafeniuk in Kyiv and Yuliya Talmazan in London.