The US embassy in Ukraine is urging Americans to prepare for a major airstrike on Kiev. There are indications that such an attack is imminent this Wednesday. The embassy has been closed "as a precaution" and embassy staff have been ordered to find a safe place.
"The US Embassy in Kiev has received detailed information about a possible significant airstrike on November 20," the embassy said in a message. The message did not specify what the information looked like, what targets might be attacked, or from which source the information the US is basing itself on.
"The US embassy advises US citizens to prepare to take immediate cover if air raid sirens sound," the warning reads. People should look for shelter, monitor local media and follow the instructions of Ukrainian authorities "if an emergency situation arises."
On Tuesday evening, it was announced that Ukraine had used US long-range ATACMS missiles to attack a target on Russian territory for the first time. US President Joe Biden had given permission for this. Russia has consistently warned that such steps have consequences. It is unclear whether the threat of a new airstrike on Kyiv is related to this.
The Spanish news agency EFE reports that the Spanish embassy in Kyiv is also closed due to the increased risk of airstrikes in Ukraine. The Greek embassy also reports that it is closed for security reasons.
