US embassy in Kyiv closes over 'significant air attack' threat as Biden approves anti-personnel mines for Ukraine

20 November 2024, 06:41 | Updated: 20 November 2024, 08:42

The US embassy in Kyiv has closed after receiving intelligence of a potential "significant air attack".

It comes just days after the Biden administration gave Kyiv the green light to use long-range missiles inside Russia, despite fears it could escalate the conflict beyond control.

They have also agreed to provide Ukraine with controversial anti-personnel mines, which are designed to be used against people, not vehicles.

Embassy employees were told to shelter in place if an air alert was announced on Wednesday.

A statement from the US Department of State Consular Affairs said: "The US Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20. 

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place. 

"The US Embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."

Read more: 'We stand together': Ukraine & UK strong in face of Russia's nuclear threats, minister tells LBC

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The UK Government has said it is now examining the security situation for British diplomats in Kyiv "incredibly closely".

"We have very good relationships with the government in Kyiv and with the United States," Science Secretary Peter Kyle said.

"We will do everything we can to keep British citizens safe."

UK to ‘double down’ on support for Ukraine as US backs missile use in Russia

On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin signed a new doctrine lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.

The doctrine said any aggression against Russia by a state which was a member of a coalition would be considered by Moscow to be aggression against it by the whole coalition.

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said: "The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression with the use of conventional weapons against it."

It comes after Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russian territory with US ATACMS missiles on the 1,000th day of war, according to Russian state media.

Five missiles were shot down and one damaged, with fragments causing a sizeable fire at a military facility in the region, it said in a statement.

The Kremlin had vowed a "tangible" response if the missiles were used.