Wed Nov 20 09:40:20 UTC 2024: ## US Embassy in Kyiv Closes Amidst Rising Tensions; Nordic Nations Warn Citizens
**Kyiv, Ukraine/Oslo, Norway –** The United States Embassy in Kyiv closed its operations on Wednesday, following warnings of potential Russian air strikes. The closure was announced Tuesday night by the US State Department, citing intelligence indicating a heightened risk of attacks. Embassy staff have been instructed to relocate to safer locations, and US citizens in Ukraine are urged to exercise caution and prepare for potential evacuations.
This move comes just three days after the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use long-range US-supplied ATACMS missiles within Russia. This decision, coupled with escalating tensions, has prompted a wave of concern across neighboring nations.
Norway, Sweden, and Finland have all issued urgent warnings to their citizens, advising them to prepare for potential conflict. Norway, sharing a 195km border with Russia, distributed pamphlets alerting citizens about the escalating situation and the need for preparedness. Sweden similarly issued guidance to its over 5 million citizens, recommending stockpiling iodine tablets in case of a nuclear incident. Finland, with its extensive 1340km border with Russia, has launched a new website providing citizens with information on government actions in a wartime scenario and advising them to prepare backup power supplies and energy-efficient food supplies. Sweden, despite not sharing a border with Russia, released a booklet, “In Case of Crisis or War,” outlining preparedness measures, including storing 72 hours of food and water.
Adding fuel to the fire, Russia claimed that Ukraine used ATACMS missiles to strike targets within its territory on Tuesday, marking the first use of these long-range weapons in the conflict. While Russia claimed to have intercepted most of the missiles, both Ukraine and US officials confirmed the use of ATACMS, a supersonic ballistic missile with a range of up to 300km. This followed President Putin’s approval of new nuclear doctrine, stating that attacks on Russia with weapons supplied by nuclear powers will be seen as an act of war justifying nuclear retaliation.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev went so far as to declare that World War III has begun, blaming the US for supplying Ukraine with the capability to strike within Russia.
The US decision to supply ATACMS, while seen as potentially bolstering Ukraine’s defenses, has drawn criticism from NATO and EU members Slovakia and Hungary, who accused the US of prolonging the conflict at any cost.
Further escalating tensions, Germany and Finland reported the cutting of two communication cables in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns about potential hybrid warfare tactics.
The situation in Eastern Europe remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation continuing to grow.
First Piper 