There are concerns that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent
A government minister has urged Brits to leave Ukraine as soon as possible, warning that bombs could drop on the country within minutes of Vladimir Putin giving the order for Russian forces to invade.
Last week, the government said all British nationals should leave Ukraine and began the process of removing British troops from the country.
More than a dozen other territories, including the US and Germany, have also told their nationals to leave the eastern European country.
After telling all Britons on Friday to leave Ukraine immediately, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told Sky News: “My fear is it is very imminent, that’s not to say it’s definitely going to happen.
“This is a warning because minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities.”
"Minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities."
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey reiterates that UK citizens should leave Ukraine "now".#KayBurleyhttps://t.co/fQlSj7lFKK
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 & YouTube pic.twitter.com/9DLCHiuwVs— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 14, 2022
There are roughly 130,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s border, with thousands more at sea.
Heappey warned over the weekend that Britain would be unable to carry out an evacuation effort of the like seen in Afghanistan last summer as Russia has the capabilities to target aircraft.
Speaking about the UK’s position on Ukraine potentially joining NATO, the minister said the government would support whatever the nation chooses.
Ukraine has previously made its desire to join NATO clear but Moscow claims this will make the country a potential launch pad for missiles targeted at Russia. This is their reasoning for gathering troops at the border.
Heappey told Sky News: “If Ukraine decides that it is going to offer that it won’t become a NATO member we support that, that’s for the Ukrainians to decide.
“Similarly, if Ukraine wanted to reserve its position and say that in the future it may want to join NATO, we would
support that too because that’s what sovereignty is and that’s what we support.”
Related links:
- Russia could invade Ukraine’on Wednesday’ in ‘our Cuban Missile Crisis moment’
- Vladimir Putin warns Europe will be dragged into military conflict if Ukraine joins NATO
- All UK troops to withdraw from Ukraine
