US Embassy in Kyiv closes over anticipated ‘significant’ air attack

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv shut down Wednesday following reports of a possible major air strike.

“The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a potential significant air attack on November 20,” the embassy said in a statement, urging U.S. citizens to seek immediate shelter if an air alert is issued.

The announcement comes after U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to supply antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine on Wednesday, and two days after he lifted restrictions on use of American-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory.

The Kremlin said Monday that the U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to fire American missiles against targets in Russia marks a “new round of tension” in the war.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised national nuclear doctrine expanding conditions under which Moscow may use its atomic weapons, making it easier to justify a strike on NATO countries.

Asked if the British government might take similar precautions, U.K. government minister Peter Kyle said that the British government is monitoring the situation “incredibly closely.”

“We have very good relationships with the government in Kyiv and with the United States. We will do everything we can to keep British citizens safe,” he said.

Spanish, Italian and Greek embassies in Kyiv also announced they will temporarily close down premises because of concerns of a Russian attack.

Ketrin Jochecová contributed to this report.