US closes embassy in Kiev over Russian air attack

The United States has closed its embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, amid concerns over a potential Russian attack.

The embassy said in a post on Wednesday it “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 message said.

The embassy recommended US citizens in Kiev “be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”

The warning comes a day after Kiev marked the 1,000th day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and as Washington moved to let Ukraine use ATACMS missiles against targets inside Russian territory.

According to US media reports, outgoing President Joe Biden has expanded permission for Kiev to hit targets in Russia in response to the deployment of North Korean soldiers on Moscow’s side.

Russia has said it views the move as an escalation and an entanglement of the United States and other Western countries in the war.

The US embassy regularly issues warnings of major air strikes, including in March and August this year, but the closure represents an exceptional measure.

dpa/NAN