In Kyiv, U.S. and Western embassies temporarily shut down on Wednesday, citing heightened security risks after a stern warning of a potential Russian airstrike on the Ukrainian capital.

This decision followed President Joe Biden’s green light for Ukraine to target Russian soil using American-made missiles, a move that enraged Moscow and escalated tensions in the ongoing conflict, as reported by The Associated Press.

The U.S. Embassy clarified that the closure was a precautionary measure amidst ongoing missile and drone attacks on Kyiv. “We anticipate a quick return to regular operations,” stated embassy officials. Italy and Greece followed suit, shutting their embassies for the day, while the United Kingdom opted to keep its diplomatic office open.

This development marks another flashpoint in a war that hit its 1,000-day milestone this week. The conflict’s international scope widened further with reports of North Korean troops joining Russia’s battlefield efforts, a factor that reportedly influenced Biden’s policy shift.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response, lowered the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons. A newly announced doctrine permits Moscow to use nuclear force even in response to a conventional attack on Russian soil, provided the aggressor is supported by a nuclear-capable ally — a thinly veiled reference to U.S.-backed Ukrainian strikes.

Image Credit: Frederic Legrand - COMEO - Shutterstock.com

Western leaders dismissed Putin’s announcement as a ploy to intimidate Ukraine’s allies into withdrawing support.

Still, market jitters followed Ukraine’s first deployment of U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, used to strike Russian targets. Experts, including the Institute for the Study of War, suggest these long-range strikes could significantly weaken Russia’s war capabilities.

“Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russia’s rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater,” the Institute said.

Adding to the stakes, intelligence suggests Russia is stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly preparing to target Ukraine’s power grid as the harsh winter months approach.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s involvement in the conflict has grown, with reports confirming the arrival of artillery systems and personnel to bolster Russia’s marine and airborne units. South Korean officials revealed that North Korean soldiers are already engaged in frontline battles alongside Russian forces.

Update: North Korea may deploy up to 100,000 troops, in a 10,000 troop rotation schedule, to fight alongside Russia in its war against Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/e0U7Y4jX4F

— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) November 17, 2024

Ukraine continues to press its counteroffensive. Andrii Kovalenko of Ukraine’s Security Council claimed responsibility for a successful strike on a Russian factory producing cargo drones in the Belgorod region.

He also reported that an arsenal in Novgorod, housing artillery and missile stockpiles, was hit in a separate operation. These claims have yet to be independently verified.

The situation underscores the precariousness of a war rapidly gaining global dimensions, with ripple effects far beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia.

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