Ukraine remains tense following its first-ever use of US-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, raising fears of a significant Russian counteroffensive. In response to intelligence about a potential large-scale air strike, the US Embassy in Kyiv has announced its temporary closure.

In a statement on its official website, the embassy revealed, "The US Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a potential major airstrike on November 20. Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will remain closed, and personnel have been instructed to seek secure shelter."

The statement further advised US citizens in Ukraine to prepare for immediate sheltering in case of an air raid alert.

Tensions have escalated between Moscow and Washington, with their direct communication hotline now reportedly inactive. Alongside the US, three European nations—Italy, Spain, and Greece—have also closed their embassies in Kyiv, citing security concerns amid the growing risk of attacks.

The backdrop to these developments is the prolonged Ukraine-Russia conflict, which reached its 1,000th day on Tuesday, November 19. Drone and missile strikes continue to target Kyiv intermittently, keeping the capital under constant threat.

Adding to the geopolitical complexity, Donald Trump is set to assume the US presidency again in January. Before leaving office, current President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use US-provided rockets for strikes inside Russian territory. Moscow has strongly condemned this decision, threatening severe retaliation.

Military experts suggest Trump may alter this policy upon his return to the White House, though they believe this shift alone would not significantly change the trajectory of the war, which has now persisted for 33 months.

The human toll of the conflict remains devastating. Thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives, and millions have fled the country. The war has become the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, leaving nearly every Ukrainian family touched by tragedy. Nights in cities and rural areas alike have been punctuated by air raid sirens, forcing civilians to seek refuge and endure sleepless nights.

Western intelligence reports indicate heavy losses on both sides, though the extent remains disputed and shrouded in secrecy. What remains undisputed is the profound human and structural toll, with widespread destruction and grief stretching from major cities to remote villages.

Sources: Ananda Bazar, Deutsche Welle