US warns of escalating Russian strikes in Ukraine

DNIPRO, Ukraine — The United States has 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 holiday commemorates the signing in August 1991 of a declaration that lifted Ukraine out of the collapse of the Soviet Union and made it an independent state, and the anniversary also marks six months since the invasion of Russia .