UKFO: There was information to suggest the Kremlin may "install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine"

January 24, 2022

Families of all American personnel have been ordered to leave Ukraine amid rising tensions and fears of an invasion from Russia.

The State Department said it will reduce staff levels at the US Embassy in Ukraine with non-essential staff and family members to depart immediately.

"On January 23, 2022, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of US direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members due to the continued threat of Russia military action," it said in a statement.

"US citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using a commercial or other privately available transportation options."

The Kyiv Embassy would remain open and it was not an evacuation order.

US intelligence has so far not been able to determine if Russian President Vladimir Putin has any plans to invade the eastern European country.

United Kingdom's Foreign Office said on Sunday afternoon there was information to suggest the Kremlin may "install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine".

Russia has denied the plot with its Foreign Ministry spokeswoman calling on the British Foreign Office to "stop provocative activities" and to "stop spreading nonsense".

"The disinformation spread by the British Foreign Office is more evidence that it is the NATO countries, led by the Anglo-Saxons, who are escalating tensions around Ukraine," she said.

More than 127,000 Russian troops and heavy armoury arrived at the border throughout last week in freezing temperatures dipping as low as -12C.

Six Russian landing ships carried tanks, an army of soldiers and other military vehicles through the English Channel enroute to the Mediterranean last week.

US officials said it was concerned over the "total picture" Russia appeared to have portrayed with satellite images capturing the troops and mammoth military supply near the border.

“It is the amassing of 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders combined with moving forces into Belarus over the weekend … these numbers are beyond, of course, what we would expect with regard to a normal exercise," a spokesperson said over the weekend.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US and its allies will be united in a "swift, severe and united response" if the Kremlin ordered an invasion.

The US pledged $200 million in a security support package for the Ukraine.

“We’ve been very clear that if there is any further Russian aggression in terms of sending Russian forces into Ukraine, there will be a swift, severe and united response from the United States and Europe,” Mr Blinken told CBS’s Face the Nation.

“We’ve been equally clear that Russia engages in other tactics short of sending forces into Ukraine, or other countries, hybrid actions, cyber attacks, efforts to bring the government down.

"There, too, I’m confident based on the many consultations I’ve had with European allies and partners that there will be a swift, calibrated and also united response.”

Americans have also been warned of travelling to Ukraine and Russia with the threat of an invasion looming.

"Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threat of Russian military action and COVID-19," the State Department said.

Travellers have been told to "exercise increased caution" in Ukraine with some areas at an "increased risk".