US orders families of embassy staff to leave Ukaine

WASHINGTON DC, Jan 24: The US has ordered the relatives of its embassy staff in Ukraine to leave amid rising tension in the region, reported BBC.

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

In a statement, it said there were reports that Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine.

Russia has denied claims that it is planning to invade Ukraine.

The State Department also warned people not to travel to 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 said.

It added that the security conditions are "unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice".

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.

On Saturday, some 90 tonnes of US "lethal aid" including ammunition for "front-line defenders" arrived in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the government was putting together a "series of actions that would figure into President Putin's calculus" including beefing up defenses in Ukraine with more military assistance.

Russia has seized Ukrainian territory before when it annexed Crimea in 2014 after the country overthrew its pro-Moscow president.

Ever since Ukraine's military has been locked in a war with Russian-backed rebels in areas of the east near Russia's borders. An estimated 14,000 people have been killed in the Donbas region.

On Sunday, the UK foreign office accused Mr Putin of planning to install a pro-Moscow figure to lead Ukraine's government.

UK ministers have warned that the Russian government will face serious consequences if there is an incursion.