Russia Threatens Systematic Strikes on Kyiv's Defense Industry

What Happened

On May 25, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement declaring that the Russian military would initiate "systematic strikes" on Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises located in Kyiv. This statement followed a recent attack on a college and dormitory in Starobilsk, a city in the Luhansk region, which is currently under Russian occupation.

Key Details

According to the Russian government, these strikes will target locations involved in the "design, production, programming, and preparation for the use of drones". Russian officials described these facilities as integral to the capabilities of the Ukrainian military, allegedly supported by NATO specialists who provide components, intelligence data, and target designation.

In its statement, the Ministry explicitly stated, "All of this has filled the cup of patience. Under the current circumstances, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are beginning to systematically strike at facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex in Kyiv, including specific venues for the design, production, programming, and preparation for the deployment of drones." Additionally, Russia accused Ukraine and its Western allies of violating international humanitarian law.

The statement referenced the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols, together with concerns related to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Russian Foreign Ministry advised foreign nationals, including members of diplomatic missions and international organizations, to leave Kyiv as soon as possible, and warned residents to avoid military and administrative infrastructure sites.

Recent Attacks On May 22, prior to this announcement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine refuted claims by Russian media regarding Ukrainian strikes against civilian infrastructure in occupied territories. On May 24, Ukraine experienced a large-scale combined assault, with reports indicating that Russian forces launched around 90 missiles and utilized 600 drones of various types, including the Oreshnik drone.

President Zelensky reported that the previous night's attacks resulted in four fatalities and nearly 100 injuries in Ukraine, with around 30 residential buildings damaged or destroyed in Kyiv alone. Currently, subsequent updates indicate that as of May 25, two deaths and 91 injuries, including three children, have been reported due to the Russian strikes in Kyiv.