US orders evacuation of embassy in Kyiv amid threat of Russian invasion

Source: The Hill | February 12, 2022 | Lauren Vella and Caroline Vakil

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory early Saturday morning, announcing that the American embassy in Kyiv had been evacuated amid the threat of Russian invasion.

“On February 12, 2022, the Department of State ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action,” the travel advisory read.

The level four advisory also urged U.S. citizens not to travel to the area and those who remain in the country to depart “immediately.”

The State Department added that on Sunday, the embassy in Kyiv will halt all consular services, and the embassy will “maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine to handle emergencies, but will not be able to provide passport, visa or routine consular services.”

A senior State Department official said that some staff would be staying in Kyiv while others would be relocated to Lyiv, but they declined to provide numbers on how many would be at each. 

The official explained that part of the reason why some employees had been moved to Lyiv, which is situated in the western region of Ukraine, was due to “its closer proximity to U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities in neighboring countries” so officials could closely coordinate with colleagues nearby and move out people safely if needed should Russia engage in military action. 

The official said that “a couple thousand Americans” had told the U.S. in recent days that they were in the country, and that officials had been in touch with them regarding whether or not they intend to leave.

The official noted it was difficult for officials to know at any given time how many Americans were in any country, including Ukraine, but noted that among some of several thousand who had been in touch, some had already left.

The official underscored that war could is becoming an increasingly likely scenario. 

……..

Tagged: , , ,

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.