Russia has vowed to increase its retaliatory attacks after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky threatened to strike Russian refineries.

In an interview with Reuters on Saturday, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces will double down on their attacks targeting Russian oil refineries to deal a blow to the country's economy.

The Russian Defense Ministry responded on Sunday, saying Russian forces would step up attacks on Ukraine's military facilities, defense industry sites and related infrastructure in Kiev and elsewhere in the former Soviet republic.

The ministry added that its recent strikes on Kiev and other Ukrainian regions were a response to enemy attacks on civilian targets inside Russia.

Russia issues urgent warning to foreigners to leave Ukraine ahead of ‘massive retaliatory strikes’

The ministry declared that Moscow will continue to carry out “massive retaliatory strikes” targeting military facilities in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities.

In the meantime, the Russian Foreign Ministry advised foreigners to leave Ukraine as the country's forces will continue to carry out “massive retaliatory strikes” targeting Kiev and other cities.

“The Russian Foreign Ministry once again warns foreign nationals, including diplomatic missions’ personnel, against staying in Ukraine or traveling to the country. Full responsibility for any possible adverse consequences lies with those who ignore this warning,” the ministry said in its statement.

It added that this is not the first time it has sounded the alarm. It said it has urged Ukrainian residents to stay far away from military and administrative infrastructure facilities in the country.

Putin warns NATO over Kaliningrad, says Russia will use ‘all weapons’

Putin has warned that Moscow would use "all weapons" at its disposal, including nuclear arms, if NATO attempts to attack Russia’s Kaliningrad.

Russia launched its special military operation in Russian-speaking parts of eastern Ukraine in 2022 following NATO’s eastward military buildup and Kiev’s stated desire to join the alliance.

Since then, the United States and its European allies have funneled hundreds of billions of dollars in advanced weaponry, intelligence, and financial support to the pro-Western leaders ruling the former Soviet republic.

Western-supplied and home-made drones and munitions have enabled Ukrainian forces to repeatedly target civilian infrastructure, energy grids, and residential areas deep within Russian territory.

Russian armed forces, in retaliation for these attacks, have changed their operational focus to the systematic and consistent dismantling of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, logistical hubs, and command centers.