Russia warned residents to leave central Kyiv as it threatened a massive missile strike this evening.
The statement comes after reports of continued ceasefire violations on both sides.
At least ten people were killed in a recent drone attack on Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials called the threat another intimidation tactic.
European leaders are watching the situation closely.
The fragile ceasefire appears increasingly strained. Russia threatening the heart of Kyiv again raises the temperature sharply.
Ten dead in a drone attack shows the fighting never really paused.
This could pull more international focus back into the conflict quickly.
“Russia has threatened to release a “massive military strike” in the centre of Ukraine’s capital if the nation breaches two separate ceasefires put in place by both countries.
Earlier this week, Russia and Ukraine declared unilateral pauses in their four-year war, which has become the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II.
Russia announced on social media that the ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin would extend from May 8 to May 9, coinciding with the nation’s annual military parade in Moscow marking Victory Day.
“We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly after that he had not received an official notice from Russia, but that Ukraine would observe a separate ceasefire from May 5 to May 6.
“As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media,” Zelenskyy wrote.”