Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the United States to evacuate diplomats from its embassy in Kyiv during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, May 25, Russia’s foreign ministry said. “On May 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” the ministry said in a statement.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Sergei Lavrov drew attention to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement from May 25, which recommended that the United States, along with other states with missions in Kyiv, ensure the evacuation of their diplomatic personnel and other citizens from the Ukrainian capital,” it added. On Monday, Russia said it is launching “systematic strikes” on Kyiv’s defense industry. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the decision followed an alleged Ukrainian attack on a dormitory in the Russian-occupied city of Starobilsk in Luhansk region, claiming the incident had “exhausted Russia’s patience.” Moscow said Russian forces would target Ukrainian defense industry sites involved in the design, production, programming, and deployment of drones it alleges are used by Ukraine with “NATO assistance.” On May 23, the US embassy has warned of “a potentially significant air attack” that could occur within 24 hours, urging both US and Ukrainian citizens to be ready to shelter.