US and UK order diplomat families to leave and warn citizens to avoid Ukraine as war with Russia looms

• The US and UK ordered the family of embassy personnel out of Ukraine, citing the threat of a Russian invasion.
• The US also said Americans in Ukraine should consider leaving the country.

The US and UK ordered the families of embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the country immediately and warned citizens against traveling there, citing a potential war with Russia.

The US State Department said on Sunday that it was ordering the departure of some family members of US embassy in Kyiv employees "due to the continued threat of Russian military action" and said that some direct hire employees were also being allowed to leave.

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

It added: "Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19."

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also said on Monday that some embassy staff and their dependents "are being withdrawn from Kyiv in response to growing threat from Russia."

Australia's government also told its citizens to leave Ukraine,

The US, Ukraine and their allies are warning that Russia is poised to invade Ukraine.

Ukraine says Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops. And White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said last week: "We believe we're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine."

Russia has repeatedly denied any intention of invading.