Brits urged to evacuate Ukraine as Russian attack ‘imminent’ Armed forces minister fears

Britain's armed forces minister said on Monday he feared a Russian attack on Ukraine was now “very imminent”. James Heappey stressed that “minutes” after Vladimir Putin had given the order, missiles could be hitting Ukraine. He emphasised that the Russian president had now deployed all the military assets needed for an invasion which could be launched with no “notice”. He also cast doubt on whether the deployment of at least 130,000 troops around Ukraine’s borders as part of a “coercive diplomacy” strategy. He told Sky News: “My nervousness is if this was indeed just a play by Vladimir Putin to get a seat at the negotiating table, he had that when he had 50,000 troops on the border of Ukraine. Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) monitors took a train to Kyiv on Sunday after withdrawing from the rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine amid fears of a possible Russian invasion. Carrying their belongings, OSCE observers were seen arriving at the train station in the Ukrainian government-controlled town of Kramatorsk and boarding the train. The OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has been deployed in eastern Ukraine since 2014 when war broke out Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed rebels. Kyiv says more than 14,000 people have been killed. The OSCE said in a statement that "certain participating states" had told their citizens at the mission to leave within the next days. It did not name the countries but said the mission would carry on with its work. Two sources told Reuters that the United States decided to withdraw its staff from Ukraine, while Britain moved its monitors from rebel-held areas to ones under government control. Thousands of Britons were packing bags to flee Ukraine after being told to evacuate - but some vowed to return to help resistance fighters once their children are safe. Around 6,000 Brits live and work in the strife-torn state under threat from more than 200,000 troops loyal to ruthless Russian bully Vladimir Putin. But many were holding fire before deciding to evacuate last night, despite being told to leave immediately by the British Embassy amid fears of an invasion and air blitz. And some have offered to come back once their children are safely abroad to stand-to-shoulder with Ukrainian friends against Russian aggression. Continue reading Brit families with newborn babies TRAPPED in Ukraine ‘days from invasion’ as thousands of expats flee and flights axed https://www.the-sun.com/news/4674534/... The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Explore the intricate world of global politics with The Sun's reporting and in-depth analysis. We’ll bring you crucial updates on international relations, major events, and political shifts impacting nations worldwide. Follow the actions of key world leaders, major international organisations and the unfolding dynamics of global power. Our coverage includes the war in Ukraine, the deadly situation in the Middle East and the complex relationship between global superpowers. Subscribe now for essential insights into global politics. The Sun brings you breaking news and in-depth analysis on the stories that matter most. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to conflicts in the Middle East and US and UK politics, we post updates as they happen. Expect the latest on major global events, pressing political debates, celebrity updates and exclusive royal family content, along with in-depth investigations and expert commentary. Get comprehensive coverage of Donald Trump's Presidency, Vladimir Putin's actions, and the unfolding drama of the British Royal Family. Subscribe now for daily updates and exclusive content from The Sun. https://www.youtube.com/c/thesun?sub_... Read The Sun: https://bit.ly/3Tay1OY Like The Sun on Facebook:   / thesun   Follow The Sun on TikTok:   / ucizxayrp7-p0anpq-nd-h5g   Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat:   / 1633225139