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KYIV, Ukraine — In response to escalating security threats, the U.S. and several Western embassies in Kyiv announced temporary closures on Wednesday. The U.S. Embassy specifically cited indications of a possible significant air assault by Russian forces targeting the Ukrainian capital.
This decision follows a warning from Russian officials regarding a retaliatory action in light of President Joe Biden’s recent authorization allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-manufactured missiles to strike Russian territories, an action that has prompted fierce backlash from the Kremlin.
The U.S. Embassy indicated that it would resume normal operations soon, emphasizing that the closure was precautionary amid ongoing missile and drone strikes against Kyiv. Other embassies, including those from Italy and Greece, also opted to close, while the U.K. Embassy remained operational.
The ongoing conflict, which recently marked its 1,000-day milestone, has increasingly involved international actors, notably with reports of North Korean troops aiding Russia in combat operations—a situation cited by U.S. officials as a reason for Biden’s strategic shift.
In a concerning escalation, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a revision to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which lowers the threshold for nuclear weapon use, potentially allowing for such responses even to conventional military actions supported by nuclear-capable allies.
This development raises fears that Ukrainian operations supported by the U.S. could provoke severe reactions from Moscow.
While Western leaders have largely dismissed this directive as an intimidation tactic aimed at discouraging support for Ukraine, the heightened market volatility reflects growing apprehension following Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles to strike inside Russia for the first time during the conflict.
Western and Ukrainian analysts highlight that Russia is actively preparing its military capabilities, likely focusing on undermining Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
Military experts from the Institute for the Study of War suggest that while U.S. policies regarding missile range limitations may not dramatically alter the war’s trajectory, they are expected to significantly impact Russia’s operational capacities.
“Ukrainian long-range strikes against military targets within Russia remain critical for disrupting Russian military operations,” the think tank stated.
Additionally, North Korea has reportedly provided more artillery systems to Russia, with North Korean soldiers now integrated into Russian marine and airborne divisions, actively participating in ongoing combat.
In a recent offensive, Ukraine targeted a facility in Russia’s Belgorod region that produces cargo drones for the military. Ukrainian officials also report successful strikes against an arsenal in the Novgorod region, which was said to stockpile artillery ammunition and various missiles, although these claims remain unverified.
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For ongoing updates on the situation, visit AP News’ Russia-Ukraine section.
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