Western embassies are preparing plans to evacuate from Kyiv - The Guardian
Following the intensification of Russian strikes on Kyiv, Western countries are developing plans to relocate their embassies to Lviv or Poland. The Guardian reported this, citing two high-ranking diplomats. Meanwhile, in their public statements, diplomats are expressing their intention to remain in the Ukrainian capital.
Western embassies are preparing evacuation plans from Kyiv — The Guardian
According to DW, the British newspaper The Guardian wrote on October 2 that plans to relocate diplomatic missions are being prepared due to the intensification of attacks on Kyiv in recent days.
"Russia plans to freeze Kyiv and return it to the Stone Age. The situation is undoubtedly deteriorating rapidly," said one of the diplomats interviewed by the publication.
The report does not refer to embassies having already relocated, but rather to preparations for a potential relocation.
The Guardian writes that Western diplomats, in their public statements, emphasize their intention to continue working in Kyiv.
They fear that the departure of embassies from the capital would become a propaganda victory for Moscow and create the impression that Ukraine has been "abandoned to its fate."
Therefore, the issue of the security of diplomatic missions is being considered alongside the need to demonstrate political support for Ukraine.
The report notes that since September, Russian troops have intensified drone and missile attacks on Kyiv. The strikes have also hit schools, hospitals, and data processing centers.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that through airstrikes, the Kremlin aims to intimidate the civilian population, force people to leave the cities, and weaken the country's ability to continue the war.
According to him, the main targets are Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa.
Representatives of Ukrainian and European security agencies familiar with intelligence data stated that Lviv is also in Russia's plans. This city near the Polish border is considered an important logistics hub.
The New York Times reported on October 2 that Kyiv had obtained Russia's plans to cut off electricity, heating, and water supplies to Ukraine's major cities in winter.