On 3 October 2026 Russia called on foreign diplomats and foreigners in Kyiv to leave the city. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that the army would continue to carry out massive strikes on the Ukrainian capital, which it describes as retaliatory. According to the ministry, those who disregard the warning will bear sole responsibility for the possible consequences.[1][2]
The statement says that Moscow had made a similar call before. According to the ministry, some people did not heed the warning and knowingly expose themselves to danger. According to the TASS agency, cited by the Novinky.cz website, Russia also called on residents of Ukraine to stay away from military and administrative infrastructure sites.[1][2] A similar warning was issued in late May 2026, when Moscow called on diplomatic missions to leave Kyiv.[2]
Reaction of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ČTK that the staff of the embassy in Kyiv are staying in place and that any steps will be taken in line with internal crisis regulations. Ministry spokesman Adam Čörgő said that similar Russian warnings are nothing new.[1][3]
Context
The call came at a time of intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv. Drone strikes in recent days damaged the South Bridge across the Dnieper, and on 3 October they also hit the North Bridge. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the situation in the city on Friday, 2 October, as very dramatic and said that the city defence council had discussed how the capital can function under continuing attacks.[1][3] Moscow describes its strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Both the Russian and the Ukrainian side deny deliberately targeting civilians.[2][3]
Related articles: Kyjev, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Chronology
- — Russia called on foreign diplomats and foreigners to leave Kyiv, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic said that the staff of the Czech embassy in Kyiv are staying in place. ČTK / České noviny Novinky.cz
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Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 3 October 2026
- Novinky.cz — 3 October 2026
- Echo24 — 3 October 2026