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US orders families of embassy staff in Ukraine to leave amid fears of Russian invasion
The BBC reported that the US has ordered the relatives of its embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the country, as fears rise of a Russian invasion.
Non-essential embassy staff have also been told they can leave, and US citizens have been urged to do the same.
The State Department said the embassy remained open, but that a Russian invasion could come "at any time".
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".
An advisory from the State Department said: "There are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine."
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A State Department official told the AFP news agency were a Russian invasion to happen, the US government "will not be in a position to evacuate US citizens in such a contingency".
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The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher reports that 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.
Source: BBC
