Russia has issued a stark warning for civilians and diplomats to leave Kyiv promptly, as Vladimir Putin threatens a massive retaliatory missile strike if Ukrainian drones disrupt the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow. The threat, conveyed by the Russian defence ministry, implies the potential use of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Putin has boasted possesses the power of a full nuclear explosion in its conventional mode.
Putin's Nuclear-Scale Threat
Putin has previously stated that deploying multiple Oreshnik systems in a single strike—two, three, or four—would be comparable in strength to a nuclear strike. The Kremlin's warning comes amid heightened alarm in Moscow over Ukraine's improved drone and missile capabilities, which pose a significant threat to the parade.
Lenin's Mausoleum as Shelter
Reports indicate that Vladimir Lenin's mausoleum on Red Square may be used to shelter VIP spectators during the parade in the event of a Ukrainian strike. Lenin's embalmed body lies in a glass coffin underground near the Kremlin wall, a site that could serve as a bunker for dignitaries.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
