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, 08:57

The US embassy in Kyiv closed over fears of a 'significant air attack'
The US embassy in Kyiv closed over fears of a 'significant air attack'. Picture: Getty

By Emma Soteriou

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

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

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

Read more: Ukraine 'fires US missiles into Russia for first time' as Putin relaxes rules around nuclear weapon use

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.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Stock markets plummeted on Friday

Starmer 'pushing for Trump royal visit this year' as UK bids for US trade deal, amid global tariff turmoil in markets

Tom Howard

British tourist killed after being struck by boulder on trek through Himalayas

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a car burns following a Russian missile attack that killed more than a dozen people, including children, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia kills 14 people including three children in airstrike on Zelenskyy's home town, with dozens wounded

Travel influencer Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, made an illegal visit to North Sentinel Island

Tourist who left Coke for world's most isolated tribe 'could have wiped them all out' - and police 'can't go collect can'

Club house covered in red paint as members of group Palestine action caused damage to the Trump owned site of Trump Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland.

Police arrest man, 33, and woman, 55, after Donald Trump's Scottish golf course vandalised with red paint

Man, 23, who gouged out pensioner's eyes before beating him to death with his own walking stick locked up indefinitely

Man, 23, who gouged pensioner's eyes out before beating him to death with his own walking stick locked up indefinitely

The FTSE 100 plummeted on Friday

UK stock market plunges amid Trump tariff chaos as FTSE 100 suffers worst trading losses in five years

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

London park evacuated as police search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake

Tommy Robinson pictured last year

Tommy Robinson in bid for freedom with appeal against contempt of court jail sentence after libelling teen refugee

Layla Allen died at the scene

'Cherished beyond words': Family pay tribute to 'shining light' 13-year-old killed in Merseyside house fire

Russell Brand

Russell Brand breaks silence after actor and comedian charged with rape and sexual assaults

White House weighs in to support ‘censored’ anti-abortion activists in Britain

White House looking to support ‘censored’ anti-abortion activists in Britain

Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs charged with two further counts of sex trafficking

XL Bully (FILE)

XL Bully on the loose after drive-by shooting in Sheffield as police issue urgent safety warning

Peter Serafinowicz and Sarah Alexander have split.

Amandaland star and comedian Peter Serafinowicz splits from actress wife after 23 years

Russel Brand

Comedian and actor Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assaults