Russia urges foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv as strikes continue

MOSCOW, Oct 3: Russia said on Saturday it would continue to carry out targeted retaliatory strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the capital.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that "in response to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' terrorist acts against the civilian population and civilian infrastructure of our country, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are continuing to systematically carry out targeted strikes on military facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities".

"The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again warns foreign nationals, including diplomatic mission staff, against staying in Ukraine or travelling to its territory.

"Responsibility for any adverse consequences lies entirely with those who ignore this warning," the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West against escalating the war in Ukraine, saying Moscow is prepared to use “all weapons” in its arsenal �" including nuclear �" if its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad comes under attack.

His warning follows recent military drills by NATO near Kaliningrad that the bloc has described as defensive exercises to strengthen deterrence. Those exercises have prompted strong concerns from Moscow, which warned in late September it would retaliate if NATO attempted to blockade the exclave by air or sea.�" AGENCIES