US issues security alert for its citizens in Ukraine

The United States on Thursday issued a warning to its citizens living in Ukraine about a “potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days.”

On its official website, the US Embassy in Ukraine recommended that US citizens be prepared to take shelter immediately if an air alert is announced.

It also urged citizens to identify shelter locations before any air alert; download a reliable air alert app on their mobile phones; monitor local media for breaking news; keep reserves of water, food, and medication; follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency, and review what the Department of State “Can and Cannot Do in a Crisis”.

Meanwhile, Russia on Thursday slammed a plan for European peacekeepers to be deployed to Ukraine as "dangerous" and branded Kyiv and its allies an "axis of war", dousing hopes for a speedy end to the almost four-year-long conflict, reports AFP.

US President Donald Trump has been pushing the warring sides to strike a deal to halt the fighting, running shuttle diplomacy between Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin to try to get an agreement across the line.

An initial 28-point plan that largely adhered to Moscow's demands was criticised by Kyiv and Europe. Now Russia has condemned attempts to beef up protections for Ukraine should an elusive deal be reached.

Underscoring the ongoing danger facing civilians from the fighting, the US Embassy in Kyiv warned Thursday that a "potentially significant air attack" could occur at any time within the next several days.

Zelensky echoed the rare warning in his evening address, telling Ukrainians that "there may be another massive Russian attack" during the night, without elaborating.