Britons told to flee Ukraine

Britons have been advised to leave Ukraine immediately over growing concerns Russia could launch an invasion within a matter of days.

The Foreign Office updated its advice to urge UK nationals to “leave now while commercial means are still available”.

It came as the White House said a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come within the week, possibly within the next two days.

Americans were also urged to flee the country.

The warning came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced fears for the security of Europe during a call with Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has amassed an estimated 130,000 troops on the border with Ukraine.

There have also been naval movements, regular flights by the Russian air force and a build-up of troops in compliant allied countries, including Belarus.

Mr Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan described the possibility of an invasion of some sort taking place before the end of the Winter Olympics on February 20 as being a “credible prospect” and a “very distinct possibility”.

He said new Russian forces were still arriving at the border and they are in a position to “mount a major military operation in Ukraine any day now”, which could include a “rapid assault on the city of Kyiv” or on other parts of the country.

Speaking from the White House, Mr Sullivan said Russia could choose “in very short order to commence a major military action against Ukraine”, but stressed the US does not know whether Mr Putin has made a final decision.

Mr Sullivan said the “threat is now immediate enough” to urge Americans to leave Ukraine “as soon as possible and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours”.

Mr Johnson warned that the penalties would be “extremely damaging” to Russia’s economy and urged that allies must reinforce Nato’s eastern frontiers.

The Foreign Office followed the US in advising against all travel to Ukraine, with a spokesman saying: “The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have updated our travel advice.

“We urge British nationals in Ukraine to leave now via commercial means while they remain available.”

WAITING GAME: St Sophia’s Cathedral at dusk in the Ukraine capital city Kyiv.