Russian authorities have issued a direct warning to foreign citizens and diplomats currently residing in Kyiv, urging them to “lasciare la città”. The Russian Foreign Ministry also recommended that foreigners avoid traveling to Ukraine. The escalation follows a series of strikes on critical infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, including the North Bridge, which was hit two days after attacks on the South Bridge. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the North Bridge strike, noting that emergency services were dispatched to the scene.
The South Bridge, a strategic artery over the Dnipro river used for exiting the city toward the west, has been repeatedly targeted by drones. The attacks have blocked the metro line crossing the bridge and caused traffic chaos. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Vladimir Putin has ordered his military commanders to abandon the rules of war
to paralyze the city and force residents to leave. Zelensky added that the goal is to isolate the capital, preventing children from attending school and nurseries and stopping adults from reaching their workplaces.
Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv Infrastructure and Residential Areas
Beyond the bridges, Russian forces targeted other infrastructure in Kyiv, including power lines. A 25-story concrete building was also hit during the night, resulting in one death and several injuries. In the city of Hostomel, within the Kyiv oblast, Russian drones struck warehouses, wounding four people, including an 8-year-old girl hit by a fragment in her lower limb. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv oblast military administration, reported that a woman and two men suffered numerous injuries and at least one victim was hospitalized.
Maritime targets were also hit in the Odessa region. Ukrainian port authorities reported that Russian forces struck a Liberian-flagged civilian merchant ship, killing one sailor and wounding three others. Thirteen crew members were evacuated from the vessel. Port authorities described the raid as another deliberate attack by the Russian Federation against civilian shipping.
Ukrainian Air Defenses Intercept Massive Drone Assault
Ukrainian air forces reported a massive overnight drone assault involving 157 attack drones—including Shahed and Gerbera models—and decoy drones. While 131 were intercepted, impacts were recorded in 12 locations. Forty-five of the Shahed drones utilized jet propulsion. Debris from downed aircraft fell in five locations.
Tensions extended to NATO airspace when a drone arriving from Belarus violated Lithuanian airspace. The Vilnius government’s crisis service briefly urged citizens in eastern Lithuania to locate air shelters and the Vilnius airport temporarily suspended operations while NATO aircraft patrolled the skies. The alert was issued around 9:40 Lithuanian time (8:40 Italian time). The alarm was later rescinded.
Moscow Prepares Major Offensive Against Energy Sector
According to the New York Times, Moscow is preparing a major offensive against Ukraine’s energy sector, potentially launching up to 1,000 missiles against power plants, substations, and water supply systems. This campaign aims to force the closure of the three currently operational nuclear power plants by hitting their distribution substations. Two weeks ago in Paris, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal presented a document to European allies outlining measures to respond to such a scale of attack.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the Japanese government has expanded economic sanctions against Russia. These measures target a “shadow fleet” of 35 ships transporting Russian oil to evade sanctions, and include the freezing of assets for 33 organizations and nine individuals.
Funding Requirements for 2027
The financial burden of the resistance is increasing. According to reports from ANSA, Ukraine may require up to 70 billion euros in additional funding by 2027 to continue resisting the invasion, an amount that would be in addition to the 45 billion euros already planned through an EU loan. The provision of these funds remains tied to the implementation of reforms.
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