Despite Russia warnings Ukraine invites diplomatic missions staying in Kyiv

Despite Russian warnings, Ukraine today, Monday, invited diplomatic missions to remain in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister stating: diplomatic missions must not surrender to Russia.

Russia urged today, Monday, foreign nationals and diplomats present in Kyiv to leave, announcing its intention to launch further strikes on the Ukrainian capital, including "decision-making centers."

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "The strikes will target decision-making centers and command centers... We urge foreign nationals, including employees of diplomatic missions and international organizations, to leave the city as quickly as possible."

Before that, local authorities in Russia and Ukraine said today, Monday, that at least eight people were killed in missile and drone attacks on Russian and Ukrainian territories over the past twenty-four hours, with reports of damage to energy infrastructure in the Russian region of Belgorod.

These strikes come in the wake of one of the heaviest Russian bombardments on Kyiv since the beginning of the war, which has been ongoing for four years, after Moscow vowed on Saturday to respond to what it described as the deliberate targeting of a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region.

The Ukrainian army denied the Russian accusations, stating that it had targeted a drone command unit belonging to elite forces in the region.