The United States Embassy in Kyiv announced its closure on Wednesday, issuing an alert of a “potential significant air attack” by Russian forces, which has prompted employees to shelter in place.
The Embassy on its website stated, “The US Embassy in Kyiv 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 US Embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
The US department of state’s consular affairs confirmed the closure in a formal statement, advising all US citizens in Ukraine to stay vigilant and follow specific protocols.
“As a precautionary measure, the Embassy premises shall remain closed, and Embassy personnel have been directed to seek immediate shelter. The Embassy advises US citizens to be prepared for immediate sheltering should an aerial alert be issued,” the statement said.
To assist US citizens in the region, the embassy recommended the following safety precautions:
- Stay updated via local news sources.
- Familiarise yourself with nearby shelter facilities.
- Seek immediate shelter upon aerial alert notification.
- Adhere to any directives from Ukrainian authorities.
- An emergency contact number has also been provided: +380 44 521 50 00 (
US Embassy Kyiv ).
Heightened tensions after ATACMS strikes
The alert follows recent escalations, with Ukraine launching US-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russian territory under newly granted authorisation from the outgoing Biden administration. This deployment marked the conflict’s 1,000th day, amplifying tensions between Russia and the West.
Russia previously warned that it would consider Nato members directly involved if Ukraine were permitted to deploy American, British, or French missiles deep into Russian territory.
In a response to Ukraine’s long-range ATACMS strike on a Russian military installation, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a modification to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the nuclear deployment threshold in cases of perceived aggression backed by nuclear power.
According to the new policy, Russia may now target a non-nuclear state if it is allied with a nuclear-armed country engaged in actions within Russian territory or that of its allies.
Meanwhile, Kyiv’s military administration reported early Wednesday that Ukraine’s air defence systems responded to a Russian aerial assault on the capital. Eyewitnesses reported multiple detonations consistent with air defence activity, as Kyiv braced for potential further escalations.