WSJ
The U.S. warned of a potential escalation in Russian attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine to coincide with the war-torn country’s Independence Day on Wednesday, urging Americans to leave as soon as possible.
The public holiday commemorates the August 1991 signing of a declaration that took Ukraine out of the collapsing Soviet Union and made it an independent state, and this year also marks six months since Russia’s invasion.
In recent years, the day has been celebrated with military parades and mass gatherings, but this year it is set to be subdued. No major events are expected and officials in major cities have called for heightened awareness and additional curfews to encourage residents to stay home.
In a statement published on its website, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv cited “information that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days.”
