Ukraine’s parliament has canceled its scheduled session for November 22, 2024, due to the increased threat of a Russian missile attack on Kyiv’s government district.
The decision follows Russia’s recent launch of a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. This escalation marks a significant development in Russia’s 33-month invasion of Ukraine.
The cancellation came after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to the West, announcing that Russia reserves the right to strike countries that support Ukraine’s ability to target Russian territory.
This threat follows the United States and the United Kingdom giving Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons against Russian land.
The attack on Dnipro, which reportedly targeted an aerospace manufacturing plant, has drawn condemnation from Ukraine’s allies. The missile launch is part of Russia’s broader strategy to exert pressure, as they claim advances in the war, particularly in the eastern Ukrainian regions.
In Kyiv, the area housing important government buildings, including the presidency and central bank, has thus far been spared from bombings.
However, with the increased threat of Russian missile strikes, the parliament decided to cancel Friday’s session. Some MPs reported that they were working remotely due to security concerns.
Ukrainian authorities remain on high alert, with local officials confirming that several embassies, including those of the US, had temporarily closed due to the missile threat.
Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov claimed that Russia’s advances in eastern Ukraine have accelerated, stating that Kyiv’s best units have been “ground down.”
This latest escalation follows Putin’s recent speech, where he warned that Russia could launch further missile attacks depending on the actions of the West. The war continues to intensify, with Russia also accusing Ukraine of increasing missile strikes on Russian territory, further complicating peace prospects.
In the wake of these developments, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled Russia’s missile deployment as a “terrible escalation,” urging for a strong international response.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on global leaders to condemn Russia’s actions, as the risk of further conflict remains high.
The ongoing military action has already resulted in civilian casualties, including fatalities in the cities of Sumy and Kramatorsk, highlighting the ongoing dangers of the conflict.
