US Embassy in Kyiv Closes Amid Threat of Major Air Attack

The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has closed due to a potential air attack, with staff sheltering in place. The closure follows Ukraine’s use of U.S. ATACMS missiles in Russian territory, amid rising tensions and increasing nuclear risks.

The US embassy in Kyiv has announced its closure on Wednesday due to intelligence suggesting a potential large-scale air attack. In a statement, the US Department of State Consular Affairs said embassy staff have been instructed to shelter in place, and US citizens in Ukraine should be prepared to do the same if air alerts are issued.

This warning follows Ukraine’s recent use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles to target Russian territory, marking the war’s 1,000th day. The strikes came after the Biden administration granted permission for Ukraine to deploy the long-range missiles.

Russia has repeatedly cautioned that allowing Ukraine to use US, British, or French weapons for strikes deep within its territory could lead Moscow to view those NATO nations as direct participants in the conflict. In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of consequences for such attacks and has since lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to conventional threats.

The escalating tensions reflect the highest nuclear risks in over 50 years, with relations between Russia and the West reaching a critical point.

Copied