Several Western embassies in Kyiv, including the U.S., announced their closure on Wednesday due to security reasons. The American delegation cited a warning of a potential Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital as the reason for this precautionary measure.
The decision to keep the embassies closed came after President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to target Russian sites with U.S.-made missiles, a move that drew ire from the Kremlin. The U.S. Embassy emphasized that the closure and attack warning were in response to ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, with plans to resume regular operations soon.
While the Italian and Greek embassies also closed for the day, the U.K. government confirmed that its embassy remained open.
The conflict, which marked its 1,000th day on Tuesday, has seen an increase in international involvement, notably with North Korean troops joining Russian forces. This development influenced Biden's policy shift, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to adjust the country's nuclear doctrine, allowing for a potential nuclear response to conventional attacks supported by nuclear powers.
Amid escalating tensions, Ukraine utilized American-made ATACMS missiles to strike a target inside Russia, a move that impacted global stock markets. Analysts suggest that while the U.S. decision on missile range may not drastically alter the conflict, it could help weaken the Russian military effort.
Reports indicate that Russia has been amassing long-range missiles, raising concerns about potential attacks on Ukraine's power grid as winter approaches. Ukrainian strikes on Russian military facilities are seen as crucial in degrading Russian capabilities across the theater of war.
Recent developments also point to North Korea supplying additional artillery systems to Russia, with North Korean soldiers reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces on the front lines. Ukraine claimed to have targeted a factory in Russia's Belgorod region and an arsenal in the Novgorod region, both located deep within Russian territory.
While these claims are yet to be independently verified, the situation underscores the complex and evolving nature of the conflict. Follow the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war at AP's coverage.
