The US says it is shutting its Kyiv embassy “out of an abundance of caution,” warning that Russia may launch a large air attack on Ukraine today.
The embassy says employees have been “instructed to shelter in place,” telling Americans in the country to be ready to scramble for cover.
“The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20,” the embassy says in a statement posted on its website. “The US Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells Russia’s TASS state news agency that a special emergency hotline between the Kremlin and White House, created after the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, is not currently in use.
On Tuesday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed an order expanding its nuclear doctrine after Ukraine used US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles for an attack on a Russian military facility.
Your next read: ToI Editors' Picks
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Join The Times of Israel Community today and you'll receive a physical book of your choice, carefully curated by our editors.
Choose between two must-reads: When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, a searing portrait of a mother’s grief and strength following unthinkable tragedy;
Or Out of the Sky: Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe by Matti Friedman, the gripping and surprising tale of a forgotten moment during World War II.
As a Community member, you’ll also enjoy our DocuNation series of outstanding Israeli documentary films, an ad-free experience of our site and podcasts, commenting privileges, and more.
CHOOSE YOUR BOOK
CHOOSE YOUR BOOK
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
From 
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
