UPDATE - US Embassy in Ukraine shuts amid warning of possible large-scale air raid

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS BY KREMLIN SPOKESMAN; EDITS THROUGH

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The US Embassy in Ukraine closed on Wednesday after issuing a warning about a potential large-scale air raid.

"The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific 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," the statement read.

US citizens were urged to prepare for air alerts, monitor local updates, locate shelters, and follow instructions from Ukrainian authorities.

The warning came a day after Ukraine for the first time attacked the Russian territory with US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

When asked during a press briefing in Moscow whether Russia plans to launch a massive airstrike on Kyiv today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from providing a direct answer.

“This matter lies outside our competence,” Peskov said. “It pertains directly to the conduct of military operations, which is exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.”