The U.S. embassy in Ukraine cited “specific information of a potential significant air attack” on Wednesday morning, ordering its citizens in the country to shelter in place, as tensions between America and the Russian Federation rise ever higher.
The American embassy compound in western Kyiv was closed on Wednesday morning, with a convoy of diplomatic vehicles apparently evacuating the buildings. A message posted by the embassy staff stated it had received “specific information of a potential significant air attack” that was thought to be planned for Wednesday. The closure was out of an “abundance of caution”, they said, but nevertheless embassy staff were told to shelter in place and American citizens in Ukraine told to be prepared to take shelter.
Advice given by the embassy to Americans in Ukraine stated they should now: “Identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert… Immediately take shelter if an air alert is announced”.
There were air raids across Ukraine on Wednesday morning, but it is stated the intelligence of a “significant air attack” cited by the embassy relates to something separate which, at the time of writing, has not yet happened. Per Ukrainian state media, air defences around Kyiv were activated early Wednesday morning and residents were ordered by the Kyiv military administration to stay in their shelters until the all-clear was given
It is claimed Russia launched 122 Iranian-designed Shahed bomb drones, air-dropped glide bombs, missiles, and other air attacks overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday morning, and that Ukraine’s air defence shot down 56 drones and two missiles.