US Embassy resumes operations in Ukraine
Photo: The US Embassy has resumed operations in Kyiv (GettyImages)
The US Embassy in Ukraine has resumed its operations in Kyiv. The institution continues its work after a temporary suspension on November 20 due to the threat of Russian shelling, according to the US Embassy's official website.
The US Embassy in Kyiv stated that it temporarily altered its operational regime on November 20 "due to reports of a potential imminent air attack."
The embassy is now "open and continues to operate."
The institution also urged all US citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of an air raid alert and "immediately seek shelter if instructed."
Temporary suspension of US Embassy operations in Ukraine
Earlier, on Wednesday, November 20, the US Embassy in Ukraine announced the suspension of its operations due to the possibility of a Russian massive airstrike.
Later, a source from the US Embassy in Kyiv told RBC-Ukraine that the suspension was related to the threat of a combined attack, not Russia’s nuclear rhetoric.
In addition to the US Embassy, Spain, Italy, and Greece also announced temporary closures of their diplomatic missions in Kyiv, citing the threat of Russian attacks.
This came amid rumors circulating online about Russia’s supposed plans to deliver an "especially massive" strike on Ukraine on November 20. These reports, allegedly from Ukrainian military intelligence, were denied by the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
In his evening address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the spreading panic in Ukraine about a serious attack from the occupiers. The president emphasized that such panic-driven messages only help the aggressor state, Russia.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the closure of foreign embassies in Kyiv, criticizing the "information escalation."
Later in the evening, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US Embassy in Ukraine would likely resume operations on November 21. The US official added that the embassy staff would return to their posts.
