The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv announced its closure on Wednesday, citing “specific information of a potential significant air attack.” The embassy advised employees to shelter in place and urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine’s capital to be prepared to take immediate shelter if air alerts were activated, according to a statement on its website.
Overnight, air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv multiple times, lasting up to 2.5 hours this morning. Residents reported hearing the hum of drones and the activation of air defense systems, including in the city center, according to a CNN team on the ground. These near-daily strikes since September have forced many to seek refuge in the city’s metro network.
Following the U.S. warning, embassies from Greece, Italy, and Spain also closed their public operations on Wednesday due to concerns about a potential large-scale attack. The Greek Embassy cited “security reasons,” while the Italian Embassy called the situation a “possible high-intensity airstrike.” Spain’s decision followed reports of the imminent threat, although the embassies remain operational internally.
The closures coincide with ongoing intensified Russian assaults on the Ukrainian capital. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking from Laos, announced that the White House would unveil a new $275 million security package for Ukraine later Wednesday. The package includes munitions for rocket systems, artillery, and anti-tank weapons, aimed at addressing critical battlefield needs.
In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has also approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time. Austin explained that the decision reflects Russia’s evolving military tactics, which now favor dismounted forces paving the way for mechanized units. “This adjustment is necessary to counter their current strategies,” he stated.
The situation in Kyiv remains tense as residents brace for further strikes, with embassies and international partners taking heightened security measures in response to the unfolding threat.