US and other embassies in Kyiv shut down due to threat of ‘significant air attack’ following Ukraine’s major strike on Russia | Global News
The closure of the US and some other Western embassies in Kyiv is due to concerns of a possible major air attack by Russia on the Ukrainian capital. This move follows Ukraine’s recent strike on Russian territory in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
On Tuesday, Ukraine allegedly launched six US-made long-range ATACMS missiles at the Bryansk region, a claim made by the Russian defense ministry. The US’s approval for Kyiv to utilize such weapons against deep targets in Russia has been criticized by Moscow as an escalation in the conflict. Additionally, the US has permitted Ukraine to use US-supplied anti-personnel landmines against Russian forces.
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What are the anti-personnel landmines?
Updates on the Ukraine war can be followed here. The UK government confirmed that its embassy remains open, while the Italian, Spanish, and Greek embassies have closed, with the German embassy operating in a limited capacity.
The American delegation closed its embassy in response to a specific warning of a potential significant air attack on November 20, amidst ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv. The embassy advised US citizens to be prepared to shelter in place if an air alert is announced.
The closure came after Russia promised a retaliation following President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to strike deep targets in Russia with US-made long-range missiles. Air raid sirens were reported in Kyiv and other cities, prompting warnings to seek shelter.
Another decision made by the Biden administration involved providing US-supplied landmines to Ukraine in response to changes in Russian tactics on the battlefield, with Russian ground troops taking a leading role.
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‘Ukraine using Western weapons in Russia’
Ukraine requires resources to impede the progress of Russian forces. The provision of controlled landmines, safer than those produced by Russia, aims to support this effort.
Further information can be found by reading Where do Russia and Ukraine stand after 1,000 days? and ‘Lower nuclear threshold is a thinly veiled warning’.
The conflict, now in its 1,000th day, has seen an international dimension with the involvement of North Korean troops supporting Russia. This development prompted a policy shift from the US. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has decreased the threshold for the use of his nuclear arsenal, allowing a nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia supported by a nuclear power.
