Russian Foreign Ministry Urges Foreign Nationals and Diplomats to Avoid Travel to Ukraine

Dragon Media News Desk

The Russian Foreign Ministry has again urged foreign nationals and diplomatic mission staff not to remain in Kyiv or travel to Ukraine. It has also warned Ukrainian residents to stay away from military and administrative facilities.

In a statement issued on October 3, the ministry said the Ukrainian armed forces were carrying out “terrorist attacks” against Russian civilians and infrastructure. It said Russian forces were continuing strikes against military targets in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in response.

According to the ministry, foreign nationals had previously been urged to leave Kyiv and refrain from travelling to Ukraine. It said the warning was conveyed in a statement issued on May 25 and in diplomatic notes sent to foreign partners. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin also raised the issue with members of the diplomatic corps on May 27, the ministry said.

The ministry said the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Norway and Switzerland had repeatedly advised their citizens against travelling to Ukraine. It expressed concern that some people had disregarded these warnings, noting that foreign embassies continued to operate in Kyiv and foreign officials continued to visit Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Russian forces would continue large-scale retaliatory strikes. It added that anyone choosing to remain in or travel to Ukraine despite the warning would bear responsibility for any possible consequences.