US says Kyiv embassy closure not linked to nuclear strike threat

The closure of the US Embassy in Kyiv on 20 November is related to the threat of a combined Russian strike using drones and missiles. There is currently no indication of a nuclear strike threat.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the embassy

Quote from the source: “The closure of the embassy is linked to a warning of an air raid, including an increased potential threat of a combined drone and missile attack, as has occurred recently. We are continuing to monitor the situation, working with our Ukrainian partners.”

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Details: Asked whether the closure of the embassy is related to Russia’s statement on changing its nuclear doctrine and lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike, the source reiterated that the closure of the diplomatic mission is “linked to the ongoing threat of air attacks.”  

US citizens are advised to stay informed through local media, to identify the nearest shelters in advance, and, in the event of an air raid warning-raid warning, to immediately take cover.

Previously: 

• Earlier, the United States decided to close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November after receiving information about the threat of a major Russian strike on this day.
• The Spanish and Italian embassies in Kyiv also reported that they had temporarily ceased operations in the capital after receiving “specific” intelligence about the threat of a large-scale air strike on 20 November.
• The Air Force of Ukraine reported that the Russians had been attacking Ukraine since the evening of 19 November with 122 Shahed drones and unidentified type UAVs, an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile, and five Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles; 56 Russian drones and two missiles were destroyed.

Background:

• On 19 November, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine shortly after the White House allowed Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russia. One condition for the use of nuclear weapons is the “launch of ballistic missiles”.
• On 17 November, The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden had for the first time authorised Ukrainian forces to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory.
• On 19 November, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had attacked the arsenal of the main missile and artillery department in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, using ATACMS missiles.

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