Image Credit: By TagMorgan
US Embassy in Kyiv Closed Amid Potential Air Attack Threat
The United States embassy in Kyiv was closed on Wednesday following reports of a potential air attack threat, according to an official statement from Washington.
The US Department of State Consular Affairs announced, “Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.” The embassy also issued a warning to American citizens in Kyiv, urging them to be prepared to shelter immediately if air alerts are sounded.
Escalation After Ukraine’s Missile Strike
This development comes a day after Ukraine utilized US-made ATACMS long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. The use of these missiles followed authorization from US President Joe Biden, who reportedly approved their deployment to bolster Ukraine’s defense while attempting to manage conflict escalation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has long advocated for the unrestricted use of US missiles, called the deployment a critical part of his “Victory Plan” for Ukraine. Reacting to the missile strikes, Zelenskyy stated, “Missiles will speak for themselves.”
Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine and Warnings
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, broadening the circumstances under which Moscow could deploy nuclear weapons. The revised policy outlines that any attack from a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power will be treated as a coordinated aggression and will invite equivalent retaliation.
Additionally, the policy allows the use of nuclear weapons in response to significant conventional assaults, including drone attacks. Russia has consistently warned the West against allowing Ukraine to target Russian territory using Western-made missiles, asserting that such actions would implicate NATO members directly in the conflict.
The closure of the US embassy in Kyiv underscores the heightened tensions and the volatile security environment as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate.
