The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, issued a new warning on Tuesday, urging Americans to leave the country as Ukraine prepares to celebrate its Independence Day on Wednesday amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
In a security alert, the embassy stated that the U.S. State Department has information that Russia is preparing to launch strikes against civilian infrastructure and government facilities in Ukraine “in the coming days.”
The U.S. Embassy advised U.S. citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible, using privately available ground transportation options if it is safe to do so.
Ned Price, a Department Spokesperson, echoed a similar warning.
“There is no question in our minds that Russia will continue its brutal assault on the Ukrainian state, on the Ukrainian people, on Ukraine’s independence, its democracy, its territorial integrity as well,” Price said during an August 22 press briefing. “There’s also no question that we will continue to stand with our Ukrainian partners.”
People needing assistance leaving the war-torn nations are encouraged to call +1-888- 407-4747 in the United States or +1-202-501-4444 from overseas or email [email protected].
According to Ukraine’s military chief, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Russian invasion has killed nearly 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the six months since it began, CBS News reported.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized defiance rather than worry when raising the flag at a memorial on Ukrainian Flag Day on Tuesday.
“No other colours will be recognised on our land and in our skies,” he said, according to Ukrainska Pravda. “The blue and yellow Ukrainian flag will once again fly everywhere it belongs by law – in all temporarily occupied cities and villages of Ukraine. It will remain there forever.”
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan first advised Americans to leave the region on February 11, ahead of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Dallas Express reported.