US orders families of embassy staff out of Ukraine as tensions rise

(News1st); The US government has ordered the families of all American personnel at the US embassy in the Ukraine capital Kyiv, to leave the country amid fears of a Russian invasion.

The state department informed dependents of US embassy staff in Kyiv that they must leave the country.

It also stated that non-essential embassy personnel could leave Ukraine at the expense of the government.

The State Department has also granted permission for non-essential staff to leave and urged US citizens in Ukraine to consider departing.

It has already issued the highest-level travel advisory for Ukraine, telling Americans not to travel to the country and to be aware of reports that Russia is planning for significant military action.

However, Moscow has denied claims that it is planning to invade Ukraine.

The State Department also warned people not to travel to Ukraine and Russia due to the ongoing tension and "potential for harassment against US citizens".

"There are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine," an advisory from the state department stated.

The U.S embassy remains open but repeated warnings from the White House that an invasion could come at "any time," a State Department official told foreign media.

Furthermore, they said that the government "will not be in a position to evacuate US citizens in such a contingency".

The move by the US is part of a series of precautions the State Department employs when crises could put American diplomats in harm's way.

It is thought that nothing specific over the past 24 hours triggered the decision.

The head of the military defense alliance NATO has warned there is a risk of fresh conflict in Europe after an estimated 100,000 Russian troops massed on the border.