U.S. Embassy issues security alert as risk of Russia's attacks on Ukraine rises ahead of Independence Day
There is an increased risk of both nighttime and daytime Russian drone and missile attacks throughout Ukraine in connection with Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has said on Thursday.
"The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv assesses that during the next several days and through the weekend there is an increased risk of both nighttime and daytime Russian drone and missile attacks throughout Ukraine in connection with Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24," it said on a security alert issued for the U.S. citizens in Ukraine.
"Monitor local media for updates. Identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert. Immediately take shelter if an air alert is announced. Follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency," the embassy said.
At the same time, the message that was distributed, as in the embassy's message a year ago, in 2023, does not contain calls for U.S. citizens to leave the territory of Ukraine for safety reasons. Such calls were in the message that the embassy distributed in August 2022, when, on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day, it reported that the Russian Federation had intensified its efforts to strike civilian infrastructure and government facilities in Ukraine.