The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, abruptly shut down Wednesday following intelligence suggesting an imminent and “significant” aerial attack. Embassy staff were instructed to shelter in place, while U.S. citizens in the area were warned to prepare for potential air raids and take immediate precautions.
“The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20. Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place. The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced,” said the embassy in a statement.
READ: U.S. Green Lights Ukraine To Use American-Supplied Land Mines Against Russia
On Tuesday, Ukraine deployed U.S.-provided long-range missiles for the first time, striking weapon depots in Russia’s Bryansk region. This marked a significant escalation in the war, prompting concerns of severe retaliation from Moscow. The Biden administration’s decision to allow Kyiv to use these weapons breaks with previous policy, as officials had been wary of provoking erratic responses from Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by updating Russia’s nuclear doctrine on Tuesday, lowering the threshold for when nuclear weapons could be used. The Kremlin warned that the U.S. decision marks a “new round of tension” in the conflict.
Despite Moscow’s warnings, the White House dismissed Russia’s rhetoric as “more of the same irresponsible rhetoric,” according to a statement made Tuesday. However, the decision to permit Ukraine to strike inside Russia has raised concerns among national security experts.
READ: Putin Updates Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine After U.S. Greenlights Ukrainian Long-Range Missile Strikes
Some experts criticized the Biden administration’s move as potentially counterproductive. Max Abrahams, an international security professor, argued that the escalation offers little strategic benefit to the U.S. “Heightened proxy attacks inside Russia only elevate risk with Russia and will make the war harder to wind down,” Abrahams said.
As tensions escalate, the U.S. Embassy’s lockdown underscores the growing risks in the region, with officials closely monitoring the situation amid fears of further escalation.
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