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Will the invasion start very soon? The US orders the families of the embassy staff to leave Ukraine

Will the invasion start very soon? The US orders the families of the embassy

The U.S. has ordered family members of its embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the country as fears of Russian invasion grow.

Non-core embassy staff have also been told they can leave, and US citizens have been asked to do the same.

The State Department said the embassy remains open, but that a Russian invasion could come "at any time."

Russia has denied having any plans for military action in Ukraine.

The State Department also warned people not to travel to Ukraine and Russia because of ongoing tensions and "the potential for harassment of American citizens."

"There are reports that Russia is planning a significant military action against Ukraine," the State Department said.

A State Department official told the AFP news agency that if a Russian invasion were to take place, the US government "would not be able to evacuate US citizens in such a case".

The U.S. move is part of a series of precautions the State Department uses when crises could jeopardize U.S. diplomats, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher.

The head of NATO's military defense alliance has warned that there is a risk of a new conflict in Europe as about 100,000 Russian troops have gathered at the border.

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