The United States has closed its embassy in Kyiv, citing the threat of a significant airstrike. This decision follows Ukraine’s use of American missiles to target a site inside Russia, a move that Moscow has labeled as an escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Later in the day, as an air raid siren caused anxiety across the capital, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency reported that Russia was trying to incite fear by disseminating false online messages about a large-scale missile and drone attack.
“The enemy, unable to conquer Ukrainians through force, resorts to intimidation tactics and psychological pressure on society. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and resilient,” the agency stated.
A source from the US government indicated that the embassy’s closure was “related to ongoing threats of air attacks”.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs announced that staff at the Irish Embassy in Kyiv are working from home today “as a precautionary measure”.
Yesterday, Ukraine employed US ATACMS missiles to strike an arms depot within Russia, leveraging newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden on the milestone of the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to target sites within Russia using US-supplied missiles (file image)
Russia has been signaling to the US and its allies for weeks that if they authorize Ukraine to strike deeply into its territory with Western-supplied missiles, it would be considered a major escalation.
“As a precaution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy staff are being directed to shelter in place,” the US Department of State’s Consular Affairs stated on the embassy’s website.
“The US Embassy advises US citizens to be prepared to take immediate shelter if an air alert is declared.”
Russia has declined to comment.
Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin mentioned in an interview published today that Russia would retaliate against NATO countries aiding long-range Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
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Psychological operation
Previously, the Ukrainian air force advised residents to seek shelter due to a missile threat. Senior officials emphasized the importance of taking the alert seriously.
This warning came just before Ukraine’s top military intelligence agency, GUR, issued a notice regarding a Russian psychological operation involving misleading messages purportedly from the agency.
“A message is circulating via messaging apps and social media … warning of a ‘particularly massive’ missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities today,” GUR stated in their announcement.
Two Ukrainian military personnel informed Reuters that they received alerts regarding Russia’s intentions to launch over 300 drones and utilize warships, aircraft, and ground-based systems for a large-scale missile assault.
Reuters could not immediately verify the distribution method of these messages. One soldier mentioned receiving a message from a friend.
The situation remains precarious, with nearly a fifth of Ukraine under Russian control, North Korean forces deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, and uncertainties surrounding future aid from Western allies as US president-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office.
On Sunday, Russia executed a significant missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s national power grid, resulting in seven fatalities and raising concerns about the resilience of the already strained energy infrastructure.
The GUR spy agency reported earlier that a Russian military command post was “successfully struck” in the town of Gubkin within Russia’s Belgorod region, approximately 168km from the Ukrainian border.
The statement did not reveal the attack’s perpetrator, timing, or weapon type used.
ATACMS weapons are seen fired during US drills with South Korea (file image)
Ukraine has also conducted drone strikes against distant targets in Russia.
Bloomberg later cited a Western official claiming that Ukraine had launched British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory.
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that his office would refrain from commenting on operational matters. No immediate response was provided by Ukraine.
‘Persistent Russian attacks’
The embassy in Kyiv advised US citizens in Ukraine to stockpile water, food, and necessary medications in case of a “possible temporary loss of power and water” due to Russian attacks.
“Ongoing Russian assaults targeting civilian facilities across Ukraine may lead to power outages, loss of heating, and disruption of municipal services,” the embassy warned.
Read more: What weapons have Western countries supplied to Ukraine? Ukraine marks 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion. Ukraine strikes Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles – Russian minister. Latest Ukraine news stories.
Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the nuclear strike threshold in response to a broader range of conventional attacks.
The US subsequently remarked that it had not discerned any reason to alter its nuclear stance.
Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine would be at a disadvantage if the US halted funding.
In response to the US embassy’s alert regarding a potential attack, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Security Council’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, asserted that Russia was prepared to execute more conventional missile assaults.
“I want to remind everyone that the Russians have been amassing missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for several months. This includes Kh-101 missiles, which they continue to manufacture, alongside Kalibr and ballistic missiles,” he stated.
