Kyiv US Embassy "Information on Large-Scale Russian Airstrikes... Emergency Evacuation"

Yonhap News

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine announced on the 20th (local time) that it had received specific information about the possibility of a large-scale Russian airstrike.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, conveyed this through its website on the same day. Accordingly, the embassy stated, "For safety reasons, the embassy will be closed, and embassy staff have been instructed to evacuate." It added, "Americans in Ukraine are advised to be prepared to evacuate immediately if an air raid warning is issued."

This is interpreted as a retaliatory airstrike related to Ukraine's launch of six U.S.-made long-range ATACMS missiles at Russian territory in the early hours of the previous day. Earlier, the Biden administration had allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made ATACMS to attack Russian territory. In response, Russia announced a new nuclear doctrine that relaxes the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons. Additionally, a Washington Post (WP) report revealed that the Biden administration has approved providing Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, which are currently prohibited for use outside the Korean Peninsula. Signs continue to emerge that the Russia-Ukraine war, which marked its 1,000th day yesterday, is worsening.

Some analysts suggest that concerns arose that if President-elect Donald Trump, who has shown a negative stance toward additional support, takes office, he might push for a ceasefire unfavorable to Ukraine. In response, there is analysis that support for Ukraine is being strengthened.