Russia warns diplomats to leave Kyiv as strikes hit Dnipro bridges; Zelenskyy vows oil hits

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, saying its forces will keep delivering “massive retaliatory strikes” as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to intensify attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.

In a statement reported by Reuters, Moscow cast the campaign as a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and warned that “responsibility for any adverse consequences lies entirely with those who ignore this warning.” Russian strikes in recent days have hit major bridges across the Dnipro River that link east and west Kyiv — the first time those crossings have been systematically targeted in the war, according to Deutsche Welle. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Saturday the Northern Bridge was struck from the air, injuring two people and blocking traffic; the Southern Bridge had already been hit repeatedly by drones, snarling roads for the capital’s roughly three million residents.

Zelenskyy told Reuters Ukrainian intelligence had seen documents of a “new doctrine” from Vladimir Putin allowing attacks on infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals to push people out of cities before winter. He said Kyiv would “respond” first against oil refiners that fund Russia’s war, while denying any intent to mirror strikes on civilian objects. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu condemned the latest Kyiv attack and said five Russian air-attack weapons, including Banderol missiles and drones, violated Moldovan airspace and exploded on its soil; Chișinău summoned Russia’s ambassador. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians.

Sources: Reuters; Deutsche Welle.