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U.S. Temporarily Shutters Embassy in Kyiv Fearing ‘Significant Air Attack’
• U.S. Issues Warning of Russian Attack: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed on November 20 “out of an abundance of caution,” telling U.S. citizens in Ukraine to be prepared to shelter in place following a warning that it had received “specific information” about “a potential significant air attack” from Russia. The Ukrainian Air Force also instructed citizens to seek shelter because of a missile threat. Ukraine’s spy agency later said that the warning was a result of a Russian psychological operation involving fake messages. The embassy reopened in the afternoon but told citizens to remain vigilant.
• Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Inside Russia: On November 17, media outlets reported that President Joe Biden loosened restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Ukrainian forces fired ATACMS on November 18 at a Russian arms depot 70 miles inside Russia. On November 19, The Washington Post reported that Biden had also authorized the provision of antipersonnel landmines to Ukrainian forces.
• Russia’s Alters Nuclear Doctrine: Biden’s loosening of restrictions came after Russia reportedly deployed approximately 11,000 North Korean troops in the Kursk region along Ukraine’s northeastern border. On November 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a long-planned decree codifying a new Russian nuclear declaratory policy that lowers the threshold at which Moscow says it might use nuclear weapons.
FDD Expert Response
“The Biden administration has clearly and belatedly become less risk averse as it eyes troubling battlefield developments in Ukraine and worries how U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia may change when Trump returns to the White House. Putin is upset about some recent decisions by the Biden administration. Predators never like it when their prey are better able to defend themselves.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power
“The U.S. decision to allow expanded ATACMS attack geography was a proportionate response to Russia’s decision to bring foreign troops, like those from North Korea, into the war. An intentional strike on the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is the last thing Putin should consider, as he will unleash a significant and disproportionate response from the United States.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology
“So long as Putin’s war continues, civilians throughout Ukraine will live in constant fear, and Ukraine’s economy will remain stifled. President-elect Donald Trump is right to seek peace, but he first needs to bolster Kyiv’s leverage. This will maximize his chances of securing a good and lasting agreement.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director
“Putin is rattling his sabers again. He is trying to send a message to the next administration, and it will fall flat. Threatening American lives is a terrible idea for any country.” — Peter Doran, Adjunct Senior Fellow