UPDATES WITH DECISIONS OF ITALY, GREECE; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, THROUGHOUT
By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) – Following the US’ lead, Spain, Italy, and Greece announced that their embassies in Kyiv will not provide services on Wednesday due to an "increased risk of airstrikes throughout Ukraine."
According to Spanish daily Ultima Hora, the diplomatic mission informed Spanish nationals in Ukraine of the closure through email.
The embassy asked Spanish citizens to seek shelter to protect themselves from possible attacks.
Citing "security reasons" for the closure, the Greek Embassy urged its citizens in a statement: "Please avoid commuting and stay in safe spaces."
The Italian Embassy, for its part, said that their decision came as a precaution in light of the information shared by the US Embassy.
"In the event of an airstrike, all Italian citizens present in the country are advised to follow the most stringent risk mitigation measures and to immediately go to the nearest shelter," it said in a statement.
Earlier Wednesday, the US Embassy in the Ukrainian capital suspended its activities after receiving "information of a potential significant air attack on November 20."
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," it said in a statement.
US citizens were also advised to prepare for air alerts, monitor local updates, find shelters, and follow Ukrainian authorities' instructions.
The warning came a day after Ukraine attacked Russian territory with US-made long-range ATACMS missiles, an unprecedented move some fear could escalate the conflict, now over 1,000 days old.