Russia Keeps Evacuation Advisory for Kiev Diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday that the ministry's recommendation for foreign diplomats and nationals to evacuate Kiev remains in effect, citing ongoing Russian military operations against Ukraine's infrastructure.

Speaking at a briefing on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Zakharova reminded reporters that the recommendation was issued in May of this year. "The recommendation of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which was issued back in May of this year, has not lost its relevance; on the contrary, it remains fully valid," she said, as reported by Sputnik.

The recommendation applies to the entire diplomatic corps and foreign citizens in Kiev, Zakharova added, explaining that Russian armed forces have shifted to "systematic and sustained attacks on the military infrastructure of Ukraine," according to both Sputnik and TASS.

Zakharova also addressed recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has called for 1,000 drone strikes per day on Russian territory. According to Sputnik, the spokeswoman said such calls "speak for themselves as to whether he truly seeks peace."

Context: Eastern Economic Forum

The remarks were made on the opening day of the 2026 Eastern Economic Forum, which is being held in Vladivostok from September 1 to 4. Sputnik described itself as a general media partner of the forum.