Washington appears fully aware it has poked the Russian bear, after President Biden greenlighted Ukraine striking Russian territory with long-range missiles.

US officials have warned Wednesday that “potential significant air attack” on Kiev is likely coming, and have announced the closure of the US Embassy in the capital “out of an abundance of caution”. This follows immediately on the heels of Ukrainian forces having struck an arms depot inside Russia with U.S.-supplied weapons, specifically the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), on Tuesday.

“Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,” a new alert on the embassy website said. “The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”

Embassy diplomats and all staff are being asked to observe the following precautions:

• 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