U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Closes Amid Russian Airstrike Concerns

The United States temporarily closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday, citing “specific information of a potential significant air attack.” U.S. citizens in Ukraine were urged to take immediate shelter, reflecting heightened tensions following Ukraine’s recent missile strikes on Russian territory.

This development came a day after Ukraine launched U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on Russian positions. The strikes were authorized by President Biden’s outgoing administration, coinciding with the 1,000th day of the ongoing war.

“In light of credible intelligence, the embassy will remain closed, and staff have been instructed to shelter in place,” the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs announced on the embassy’s website.

The statement also advised American citizens in Ukraine to prepare for air alerts and ensure access to essentials, including water, food, and medication.

Escalation in Air Attacks

Russia recently escalated its assault on Ukraine’s infrastructure, launching a combined barrage of 120 missiles and 90 drones on Sunday. The strikes damaged critical power systems, left multiple regions without electricity, and claimed seven lives.

“Continued Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure may lead to prolonged outages of power, heating, and other services,” the embassy warned.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Security Council’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, affirmed that Russia was likely to intensify its airstrikes. “Russia has been stockpiling missiles, including Kh-101s, Kalibrs, and ballistic weapons, preparing for a series of coordinated attacks,” Kovalenko explained.

Moscow’s Warnings and Rising Nuclear Risks

Russia has consistently warned the West against enabling Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory using U.S., British, or French weapons, threatening to classify such actions as NATO involvement.

In October, President Vladimir Putin hinted at potential retaliatory measures if U.S.-made weapons were used against Russian territory. On Tuesday, he further lowered Russia’s threshold for initiating a nuclear strike in response to conventional attacks, signaling an alarming shift in the conflict’s stakes.

This latest escalation underscores the war’s growing complexity, as both sides brace for continued hostilities in the harsh winter months.