On Wednesday, the US Embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed its operations, citing information about a potential major air attack. The embassy announced the decision on its official X account, formerly known as Twitter, and urged US citizens in Ukraine to remain alert and prepare to shelter if an air alert is sounded.
In a statement shared on its website, the embassy stated, “Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and employees are being instructed to shelter in place.” The precautionary measure reflects heightened concerns following recent developments in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The warning comes just a day following Ukraine launched US-made ATACMS missiles into Russian territory which outgoing US President Joe Biden granted permission.
Russia has warned for months that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory would escalate the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously cautioned that such actions could lead to broader consequences, potentially involving NATO countries directly in the war. On Tuesday, President Putin announced changes to Russia’s nuclear policy, lowering the threshold for a nuclear response to conventional attacks. The adjustment highlights growing risks as relations between Russia and Western nations hit their lowest point in decades.
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