US Embassy in Kyiv shuts operations a day after Ukraine strikes Russia with American missiles

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv closed its doors on Wednesday after receiving information about a potential significant air attack, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The closure comes as a precautionary measure, with embassy staff instructed to shelter in place.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the department said.


U.S. citizens in Kyiv were also urged to be ready to seek immediate shelter if an air alert is issued.

Ukraine uses US-made ATACMS missiles

This heightened security measure followed a day after Ukraine utilized U.S.-made ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory.

The use of these missiles came after the Biden administration granted permission for Ukraine to deploy them, a significant moment on the 1,000th day of the war in Ukraine.

Russia had long warned the West that such actions, particularly the use of U.S., British, and French missiles in deep strikes into Russian territory, could lead to Moscow considering those NATO members as direct participants in the conflict.

In response to Ukraine's missile strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in October that Moscow would retaliate against Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons.

Tensions have escalated further, as on Tuesday, President Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike, signaling a potential response to a broader range of conventional attacks.

The rising nuclear risks come amid some of the most intense confrontations between Russia and the West in over 50 years.

(With inputs from Reuters)