US Embassy in Kyiv Closed: Major Threat Amid Russia-Ukraine War?

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

The US embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed due to the threat of a potential large-scale air attack amid escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Embassy employees have been instructed to shelter in place.
US citizens in Ukraine are advised to prepare for potential air raid alerts and take necessary precautions.
This warning comes a day after Ukraine launched US-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russian territory.
Russia has promised an “appropriate” response to the missile strike.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the US embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed due to fears of a large-scale air attack. The US Department of State’s Consular Affairs stated, “Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.” This decision follows specific intelligence indicating a potential major air attack on November 20th.

US citizens in Ukraine have been urged to prepare for potential air raid alerts and take necessary safety measures. This warning follows a Ukrainian strike on Russian territory using US-supplied ATACMS missiles. Russia has vowed an “appropriate” response to this attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in October vowed retaliation for Ukrainian attacks using Western weaponry, further lowered the threshold for a nuclear response on Tuesday to include a broader range of conventional attacks.

Russia has repeatedly cautioned Western nations against providing Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking targets deep within its territory. Moscow warned that such actions could lead Russia to consider NATO members, including the US, Britain, and France, as direct participants in the war. Meanwhile, the Biden administration controversially agreed to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s defenses as Russian troops made significant gains along the front lines in the eastern Donbas region.

The Russian military launched a massive offensive involving an estimated 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, against fortified Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region. Simultaneously, Russia is intensifying missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting the power grid in an attempt to weaponize the winter cold for a third consecutive year. The Washington Post, citing US officials, reported that the Biden administration is deeply concerned by Russia’s recent battlefield progress, prompting the need for increased support for Kyiv. The long-range ATACMS missiles provide Kyiv with greater reach to target military equipment, bases, and personnel in Russia, while the landmines will be crucial in blunting the Russian ground assault.

Key Takeaways to Remember

The temporary closure of the US embassy in Kyiv highlights the escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war. The threat of air attacks and the use of ATACMS missiles have further complicated the situation. US citizens in Ukraine should exercise caution.