The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement on May 25 announcing planned systematic strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in Kiev, including sites involved in drone design, production, and programming that receive NATO support.The announcement, accompanied by a call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his U.S.counterpart Marco Rubio, warns foreign diplomats and international organizations to evacuate the city promptly due to the locations of these targets across Kiev.

A senior Russian diplomat indicated this decision was made collectively by Russian leadership and warned of potential further escalations into EU territory if no response follows.

Retired General Evgeni Buzhinsky suggested that European troops stationed in the Baltic states could become legitimate targets, though their remote bases might limit civilian impact.

Russia also published a list of European companies involved in manufacturing drones and components used against Russian targets, identifying locations in cities like London, Munich, Riga, Vilnius, Prague, Madrid, and Venice.

The article frames this as part of a broader escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, attributing primary responsibility to Western policies of military encirclement of Russia and efforts to inflict a strategic defeat.

It notes Russia's restraint in using full military potential to avoid direct NATO confrontation while responding to ongoing Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, including recent attacks that killed civilians.Analyst Anatol Lieven suggests Russia may use hypersonic Oreshnik missiles against Ukrainian command centers.

The piece criticizes European leadership for ignoring realities and rejecting diplomatic solutions, while expressing hope for more pragmatic approaches from Washington.

This development is presented as the start of a dangerous escalation cycle rooted in NATO's expansion and the failure to include Russia in European security architecture.