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The US Embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed on Wednesday over concerns that Russia is preparing to carry out a significant attack on Ukraine.

What’s the deal: According to the US Embassy in Kyiv, the decision to temporarily close its doors was made “out of an abundance of caution” following specific intelligence about a potential “significant air attack” targeting the area. In a security update, the embassy warned that US citizens should “be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced,” urging vigilance and adherence to local directives. While the embassy did not disclose detailed information about the nature of the threat, it described the warning as stemming from “specific” intelligence regarding imminent Russian actions.

This all comes as the United States authorized Ukraine to use American-made long-range ATACMS missiles to strike targets within Russia, marking a significant shift in US policy. President Biden’s approval lifted prior restrictions on the deployment of these weapons, which were used for the first time to target a Russian ammunition depot in the Bryansk region.

The move drew sharp condemnation from the Kremlin, with Russian officials warning that such actions represent a “qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia” and could provoke severe retaliation.