Moscow, May 6, 2026 – The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it has circulated a Note Verbale to all diplomatic missions and international organisations, warning of potential retaliatory strikes on Kiev should Ukraine attempt to disrupt Moscow’s Victory Day commemorations.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the note followed a May 4 statement by the Russian Defence Ministry, which responded to remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan.

Zelensky reportedly threatened to target Moscow during the May 9 holiday, which Russia regards as sacred in honour of the Great Patriotic War.

The Foreign Ministry urged foreign governments and organisations to take the warning “with the utmost seriousness” and to evacuate diplomatic staff and civilians from Kiev in anticipation of possible Russian military action against “decision-making centres” if Ukraine carried out such plans. Russian embassies abroad are also relaying the warning to host countries.

Zakharova accused Western nations of ignoring Zelensky’s threats and of continuing to support Ukraine militarily, which she said made them “accomplices in the criminal plans hatched by the Kiev regime.”

She added that Russia’s actions were not aggressive but “an inevitable response to aggression.”

The statement comes amid heightened tensions ahead of Victory Day, with Moscow insisting that any attempt to disrupt the commemorations would trigger a forceful response.