Zelensky on embassy closures in Kyiv: "Russia is just as insane on the 1001st day of war as it was on the first."

Several European nations, along with the USA and Canada, announced on Wednesday, November 20, the suspension of operations at their embassies in Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an evening address, stated that the panic messages that have "gained traction" only benefit Russia.

"Today there were many nerves and questions about some specific danger," Zelensky noted in his address. "Although during this time we have already endured so many brutal and treacherous attacks from Russia... Warnings about air raids should always be heeded. We have such a neighbor – a madman. Today, on the 1001st day of the full-scale war, Russia is just as mad as it was on the 1000th day and on February 24."

"The informational frenzy that occurred today, the panic messages – all of this is advantageous only to Russia," he emphasized.

Additionally, on the evening of November 20, a press release was published on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv stating that the American diplomatic mission "temporarily changed its mode of operation on November 20 due to reports of a high likelihood of an air attack."

"The embassy remains open and continues to operate," the statement emphasized.

The Canadian government’s website noted that the country's embassy in Kyiv has temporarily suspended in-person services "due to the security situation."

On November 20, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Italy also reported a temporary halt to operations in the capital of Ukraine. The German Foreign Ministry indicated that the German embassy in Kyiv is conducting consular work to a limited extent.

The Polish embassy stated that it continues to operate while adhering to all safety regulations.

EU diplomatic representative Peter Stano informed at a briefing: "We do not comment on the precautionary measures taken by the embassies on-site. These actions fall within the national competence of member states. They make such decisions based on the information they have available locally."

"From our side, we have not given any instructions regarding precautionary measures. In any case, we are fully aware of the conditions in Ukraine that pose risks. We know the environment in which we operate, and the EU delegation is prepared to work under these conditions," Stano told journalists, as quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

As reported by the dpa agency, many in Ukraine are increasingly concerned that Russia may escalate the war following reports that Ukraine has used long-range Western weaponry against targets on Russian territory.

At the same time, journalists remind that Moscow carried out a massive missile strike on Kyiv on November 16 and 17 – even before Ukraine attacked Russia with ATACMS missiles.

Background. On November 20, Bloomberg reported, citing an anonymous Western official, that the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck Russian territory for the first time using British-French Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG missiles. Russian pro-war bloggers also reported the strike. According to their information, between 10 and 12 missiles targeted the village of Maryino in the Kursk region.

Unconfirmed social media reports suggest that there is a headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces located there, where both Russian military leadership and North Korean officials may have been present.