Russia stokes panic with embassy closures amid attack threats
According to Andrij Kovalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Russians are attempting to incite panic following reports of several embassy closures in Kyiv.
9:18 AM EST, November 20, 2024
Kovalenko urged the public not to view the alleged Russian preparations for massive shelling of Ukraine during the colder months as a "surprise, because this is already their usual tactic."
Kovalenko: Russians want to cause panic
"They have been gathering missiles, preparing aviation, and the fleet. They are focusing on cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as drones aimed at exhausting the air defense system. These plans are not a surprise; they are known, and there have been warnings about them," he explained in a post on Telegram.
Closed embassies in Kyiv
On Wednesday morning, the American embassy in Kyiv issued a statement warning of a massive Russian attack. The facility was closed, and staff were advised to shelter. The embassies of Italy, Greece, and Spain followed the U.S. example.
About this, Kovalenko stated that the Russians "are currently also trying to fuel panic through information regarding the closing of embassies."
He added that "after three years of full-scale war and being aware of the existence of Russian missiles and plans to shell Ukraine and its infrastructure, Ukrainians already understand the situation. They need to plan their time and prepare safe places for themselves in case of an alarm, think about the route and time needed to reach these places."
Kovalenko also emphasized the importance of following official communications, especially from the Ukrainian Air Force.
