Russia prevents evacuations from Izyum.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 25, in which Lavrov told Rubio that Moscow would begin strikes on "decision-making centers" and urged the U.S. to "ensure the evacuation of their diplomatic personnel," according to a Russian Foreign Ministry readout.

Foreign citizens, including diplomats, were encouraged to leave the city, while Ukrainian civilians were called upon to stay away from "military and administrative infrastructure of the Zelensky regime."

The facility, located around 60 kilometers from Ukraine's northern border, was an important link in the supply of fuel to the Russian military, the General Staff said on social media.

The visit follows a devastating Russian aerial attack overnight on May 24 that primarily targeted Kyiv and the surrounding region.

The legislation enables the Russian president to order troop deployments abroad to "protect" Russian citizens facing arrest, detention, trial, or other perceived persecution by foreign nations and international courts.

Russia said it would appeal to the International Court of Justice over alleged discrimination against Russian minorities in the Baltic states. Estonia called the move a part of Moscow's disinformation campaign, according to a statement for the Kyiv Independent.

Metropolitan Hilarion's car was stopped by Czech police officers on May 24. During the subsequent search, "four small containers with a white substance were found in the trunk," according to Hilarion's Telegram channel.

"I am grateful to the medical workers treating and supporting our people. I thank everyone involved in recovery efforts, all emergency and public services," Volodymyr Zelensky said.