Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul called “unusual” the content of the warning of the American diplomatic mission in Moscow about possible “attacks” in Russia.
“It `s very unusual. I can’t remember such a message ever appearing (other than on one occasion when our residence at Spaso House had a demonstration and we told people to avoid the area),” he tweeted on Feb. 21.
The day before, the United States Embassy warned Americans currently in Russia of possible “attacks on malls, subways and railway stations” in several regions of the country.
It is noted that large cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as zones on the border with Ukraine, allegedly pose a danger to US citizens.
The embassy advised Americans in Russia to avoid crowds, be vigilant in places frequently visited by tourists, and carry an identity card, including a passport with a valid Russian visa.
In addition, US citizens were advised to prepare for self-evacuation from the country.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, immediately turned to the US Embassy with a demand to explain the information about the unsafe situation in Russia.
According to The Mirror, this mailing is due to the fact that the United States allegedly has intelligence that the Russian command has received an order to launch an invasion of Ukraine.
On Friday, speaking at a press conference on the situation in Ukraine, Joe Biden said that “Russian-backed forces” were allegedly trying to provoke Kiev to escalate the situation in the region. In addition, Biden noted that US intelligence has information that Russia allegedly will attack the territory of Ukraine in the coming weeks and even invade Kiev. Journalists laughed off the American leader after this statement.
On February 14, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the United States would temporarily move the embassy in Ukraine from Kiev to Lvov. He added that the diplomatic mission “will continue to maintain contacts with the government of Ukraine” and help coordinate diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions around the country.
Earlier, on Feb. 11, the State Department urged Americans to leave Ukraine and warned that the US would not be able to evacuate its citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine, as consular services would be severely affected.
In recent days, the situation on the line of contact in the southeast of Ukraine has sharply escalated. The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) have reported heavy shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), including heavy weapons. On February 18, the authorities of the republics announced the evacuation of civilians to the Russian Federation, and the next day, a general mobilization.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
