Ukraine war update: Putin threatens foreign embassies in Kyiv

Russia has instructed foreign embassies in Kyiv to pull out their staff should it decide to strike the Ukrainian capital during Moscow’s Victory Day parade this weekend. This warning comes even though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered a truce that would cover the period before, during and after the anniversary, provided Russia halts its attacks on Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, has demanded a narrow ceasefire on terms he sets alone, aiming to safeguard his flagship annual parade.

In a communication to diplomatic missions and international organisations, Russia warned it would carry out a “retaliatory” strike on Kyiv – “including against decision‑making centres” – if Ukraine interfered with the commemorations scheduled for this Saturday. It urged the missions to “ensure the timely evacuation of personnel from diplomatic and other posts, as well as citizens, from the city of Kyiv”.

Kyiv proposed a ceasefire beginning on 6 May, which Moscow ignored. Zelenskyy said Russia – which has not confirmed it will follow Kyiv’s proposal – had already recorded 1,820 violations by late Wednesday morning. “Russia’s choice is an obvious rejection of a ceasefire and of saving lives,” he stated. Ukraine remains willing to pursue peace, but Zelenskyy added, “if the sole person in Moscow who cannot live without war cares only about the parade and nothing else, that is another issue.” He concluded, “Russia has fought to the point where even its main parade now depends on us.”

On Wednesday, Russian drones struck a kindergarten in the northeastern city of Sumy, killing a security guard and injuring two others; no children were present at the time, according to Luke Harding. Since last Friday, Russian attacks across 14 Ukrainian regions have killed at least 70 civilians and wounded more than 500, the UN human‑rights monitoring mission in Ukraine reported on Wednesday. Additionally, a Ukrainian drone strike killed five people in the occupied Crimean city of Dzhankoi, as stated by the Russia‑appointed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Hungary has returned the cash and gold belonging to Ukraine’s Oschadbank that Budapest’s security service seized in March, Zelenskyy said on Wednesday, welcoming the step toward easing strained relations. Under the outgoing prime minister Viktor Orbán – who lost recent elections to Péter Magyar – Hungary had detained seven Ukrainians transporting roughly $82 million in cash and gold. Kyiv denounced the seizure as extortion, insisting it was a routine transfer. Both the funds and the gold have been fully restored to Ukraine, Zelenskyy affirmed, praising Hungary’s “constructive approach and civilised step”. Magyar is scheduled to take the oath of office on Saturday.

The Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale was temporarily closed after the activist group Pussy Riot staged a disruptive protest against Russia’s participation in the festival. Wearing pink balaclavas, the demonstrators ran to the pavilion, gathered outside, lit pink, blue and yellow flares and played punk music.