The United States has temporarily closed its embassy in Kiev, citing specific intelligence about a potential significant Russian airstrike on Wednesday.
In an official statement, the embassy announced, “Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.” It also urged U.S. citizens in Kiev to “be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
The warning follows Kiev’s recent commemoration of the 1,000th day since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. It also coincides with heightened tensions after the U.S. authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to target Russian territory.
Reports from U.S. media indicate that outgoing President Joe Biden has broadened permissions for Ukraine to strike inside Russia, a move seen as a response to North Korea’s deployment of soldiers in support of Moscow.
Russia has criticized the decision as a dangerous escalation and accused the U.S. and its Western allies of further entanglement in the ongoing conflict.
While the U.S. embassy has issued similar warnings about potential airstrikes in the past, including in March and August this year, the complete closure of the diplomatic mission is an extraordinary measure underscoring the severity of the perceived threat.
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