‘Leave Kyiv’: Russia issues fresh warning as attacks intensify across Ukraine

Moscow: Russia has warned diplomats and foreign nationals to leave Kyiv, citing the threat of further “massive” strikes, after another Russian attack damaged a major bridge in the Ukrainian capital.

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday urged diplomats and foreigners to leave Kyiv and refrain from travelling to Ukraine, warning that further large-scale attacks could follow.

The ministry said people who ignored its warnings would bear responsibility for any potential consequences. The latest warning came after a Russian air attack struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River.

Moscow had issued a similar warning in May. The latest statement comes amid an increase in Russian drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital and its infrastructure.

Kyiv's Northern Bridge damaged

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Northern Bridge was damaged in Saturday's attack, affecting the road surface and trolleybus overhead cables. Traffic was suspended as emergency services responded. Reuters reported that no casualties were initially recorded in the bridge strike.

The attack followed repeated strikes on Kyiv's Southern Bridge over the previous two days. Several bridges connecting the city's eastern and western banks have faced disruption, causing major traffic problems.

Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed it carried out the latest strike and said the bridge was used for Ukrainian military logistics.

Six killed in latest attacks

The wider wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine has killed at least six people, according to AP. Kharkiv and surrounding areas were among the areas hit, while strikes were also reported in Odesa and other regions.

Ukrainian authorities have also reported damage to civilian and energy infrastructure as Kyiv prepares for another difficult winter.

At the same time, Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted areas inside Russia. Authorities in Russia's Kaluga and Belgorod regions reported casualties and damage following overnight drone strikes.

Kyiv faces growing traffic and infrastructure disruption

The repeated attacks on bridges have created severe traffic congestion in Kyiv. The Dnipro crossings are particularly important because a large share of residents live on the city's eastern bank while many workplaces and government institutions are located on the western bank.

The attacks have also heightened concerns about Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Ukraine experienced prolonged power and heating disruptions during the previous winter after Russian strikes on energy facilities.

Kyiv Mayor Klitschko has described the situation as increasingly serious, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of targeting civilian infrastructure. Russia has rejected allegations that it systematically targets civilians.

India emerges in renewed peace diplomacy

The escalation comes alongside a new diplomatic development involving India.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said India has presented a broad proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war and described it as the most comprehensive among four proposals currently under discussion. The other initiatives cited by Kyiv are from Türkiye, Egypt and the United States.

Sybiha said Ukraine is prepared to consider an energy and agricultural truce in the Black Sea and is also considering an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact. Kyiv has said any truce should also cover attacks on energy and port infrastructure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has separately said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “very good ideas” on finding a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.

The developments place renewed diplomatic activity alongside an intensifying aerial campaign, with the two tracks unfolding simultaneously.

The immediate focus is likely to remain on Kyiv's infrastructure, air-defence capacity and energy network as winter approaches. The Russian warning to foreign nationals also raises security concerns for diplomatic missions operating in the capital.

At the diplomatic level, India's proposal is now one of several international initiatives being discussed by Ukraine, although its contents and the prospects for agreement between Kyiv and Moscow remain subject to further negotiations.