In a move that has drawn international attention, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, announced its closure today, citing “specific information about a possible significant airstrike” by the Russian Armed Forces.
Embassies from Greece, Spain, and Italy in Kyiv have also shuttered their operations due to security concerns. This development follows Ukraine’s deployment of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles and Russia’s subsequent announcement of a revised nuclear doctrine.
Threat of Attack in Ukraine
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued an official statement directed at American citizens residing in the city. “The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a possible major airstrike on November 20. As a precautionary measure, the Embassy will be closed,” the statement read.
Embassy personnel have been instructed to shelter in place. The Embassy also advised U.S. citizens to:
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Identify shelter locations in advance of any air alerts.
- Take immediate shelter if an air alert is announced.
- Follow the instructions of Ukrainian authorities and emergency services.
- Context of Rising Tensions
This warning comes just days after President Joe Biden’s administration authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS long-range missiles against Russian territory. The move marks a significant escalation in the war, which began in February 2022 and reached its 1,000-day milestone yesterday.
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The Ukrainian military reportedly deployed these missiles on Tuesday, prompting condemnation from the Kremlin. Russia accused the U.S. of “adding fuel to the fire” in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, U.S. media reports suggest Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine—a controversial decision that could further heighten tensions as the war intensifies.
With the conflict showing no signs of abating, the closure of the U.S. Embassy underscores the gravity of the current security risks in Kyiv.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Miguel Fernández in Cultura Colectiva News