The United States reopened its embassy in Kyiv late on Wednesday after temporarily closing it earlier in the day due to what it described as the threat of a significant air attack. The closure came a day after Ukraine launched US-supplied ATACMS missiles at a target inside Russia.
Russia condemned the missile strike as an escalation in the 1,000-day conflict, while Ukraine’s military intelligence agency accused Russia of spreading fake online messages about an imminent missile and drone attack to create panic.
“@USEmbassyKyiv has resumed services following a temporary shelter-in-place suspension earlier today,” US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink posted on X.
“We continue to encourage US citizens to remain vigilant, monitor official Ukrainian sources for updates, and be prepared to shelter in place if an air alert is announced.”
The US State Department earlier confirmed that normal embassy operations were expected to resume on Thursday, explaining that the closure was made “out of an abundance of caution.” It advised embassy staff and US citizens in Kyiv to shelter in place during the alert.
“The US Embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced,” the initial statement read.
While the Kremlin declined to comment, a US government source attributed the embassy closure to “ongoing threats of air attacks.” Other embassies, including those of Italy and Greece, also shut their doors, while the French embassy remained open but urged citizens to exercise caution.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned citizens not to succumb to panic but urged vigilance regarding air raid alerts.
“Panic-inducing messages circulated today only help Russia,” he said in his nightly address.
“However many brutal and treacherous attacks by Russia we have endured… it is always important to pay attention to air raid warnings. We have a neighbour that is insane.”
Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency also emphasised the psychological nature of Russia’s tactics, stating,
“The enemy, unable to subdue Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. We ask you to be vigilant and steadfast.”
Zelensky also expressed gratitude for a newly announced $275 million US military aid package, which includes ammunition, drones, and missiles.
On Tuesday, Ukraine used US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike a Russian arms depot, acting under newly granted permissions from the outgoing Biden administration. This marked the 1,000th day since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
In response, Russia has warned the US and its allies that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles could be viewed as a significant escalation. Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said Moscow would retaliate against NATO countries that facilitate such attacks.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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