US Embassy in Kyiv closes amid threat of major air attack

New Delhi, Nov 20: The US Embassy in Kyiv has announced its closure after receiving “specific information of a potential significant air attack,” signalling heightened concerns over safety in Ukraine’s capital. An advisory issued by the embassy urged employees to shelter in place and warned American citizens in Kyiv to be prepared to immediately seek refuge if air raid alarms were triggered.

Overnight, air raid sirens sounded multiple times across the city, with residents forced to take cover. By morning, the alerts lasted over two hours, accompanied by the buzz of drones and the activity of air defences. Reports from the ground described the sound of explosions and aerial countermeasures across central Kyiv.

This escalation comes amidst intensified Russian strikes targeting Ukraine's urban centres, infrastructure, and energy facilities. Kyiv has endured nearly daily bombardments since early September, with residents increasingly relying on the city's metro system as makeshift bomb shelters. These attacks, aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s defences and disrupting civilian life, have compounded hardships as winter approaches.

The embassy’s closure and urgent warnings highlight the deteriorating security situation and rising fears of a new wave of aggressive aerial campaigns by Russia. With the conflict entering its 1,000th day, the move by the US reflects a growing acknowledgement of the unpredictability and volatility of the war as both sides intensify their strategies.

The widening scope of the conflict raises concerns about further escalation. Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine signals a more assertive stance, with potential implications for NATO-member states involved in Ukraine's support. The US’s approval of advanced weapons for Ukraine highlights its commitment to Kyiv but risks provoking an unpredictable response from Moscow. As both sides dig in for a prolonged conflict, the path to resolution seems increasingly fraught, with risks of miscalculation rising and the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Meanwhile, in 2024, Russian forces seized nearly six times more territory than in 2023, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) as reported by BBC.

These Russian troops advance more concentrated in eastern Ukraine, as the United States approves Kyiv's use of long-range missiles against Russian positions. Both developments reshape the conflict’s dynamics and raise questions about its future.

Russia’s campaign has focused heavily on key logistical hubs in the Donbas region. The ISW estimates that Moscow’s forces have captured around 2,700 square kilometres this year, compared to just 465 square kilometres in 2023. Recent gains include areas near Kupiansk in Kharkiv and Kurakhove in Donetsk, both critical for Ukraine’s supply lines.

Kupiansk, once liberated by Ukraine in its 2022 counteroffensive, is now under severe pressure. Russian troops are reported to be just four kilometres from a key bridge into the city. In Kurakhove, Russia is attempting to encircle Ukrainian defenders, inching closer to the strategic hub of Pokrovsk.

Experts warn that Ukraine’s eastern defences may struggle to hold. Dr. Marina Miron of King’s College London told the BBC that the eastern front could face collapse if Russian advances continue unchecked.