Anticipating Airstrikes, United States Closes Embassy In Kyiv Ukraine

US Embassy in Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Kholodovsky)

JAKARTA - The United States closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday, due to "specific information about the potential for significant airstrikes" and told its citizens in Ukraine to prepare for immediate protection.

The unusual warning comes a day after Ukraine used US ATACMS missiles to attack Russian territory, utilizing a new permit granted by US President Joe Biden's administration which will end on the 1,000th day of war.

"For the sake of high vigilance, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are instructed to take shelter on the spot," the US State Department said in a statement on the US Embassy's website.

"The US Embassy recommends US citizens to prepare for shelter immediately if air warnings are announced," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Embassy in Kyiv urged US citizens in Ukraine to have water reserves, food, and other basic necessities such as the drugs needed to deal with "possibly losing electricity and temporary water" caused by Russian attacks.

"The continuous Russian attack targeting civilian infrastructure across Ukraine could result in power outages, heating losses, and city service disruptions," he said.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Security Council Disinformation Management Center, said Russia was ready to carry out more airstrikes, as he commented on US statements.

"Let me remind you that Russia has been hoarding missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for months. These include Kh-101 missiles, which they continue to produce, as well as Kalibr and ballistics," he said.

Earlier, Russia attacked Ukraine's power grid with 120 missiles and 90 drones on Sunday, causing damage to the power system and killing seven people in an attack that sparked fears of hampered energy grid resistance.

Russia has warned the West for months, if Washington allowed Ukraine to fire US, British and French missiles on Russian territory, Moscow would think the NATO member states were directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was working on various ways to respond if Washington approved Ukraine's attack with US-made weapons on Russian territory.