This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Ukraine is urging its citizens to avoid travel to Russia and for those in the country to leave immediately, citing a possible disruption of consular services in the face of rising tensions with Moscow.
“Because of the escalating Russian aggression against Ukraine, which can lead to a substantial reduction in possible consular assistance in Russia, the Foreign Ministry urges the citizens of Ukraine to refrain from travel to Russia, and for those in that country to leave its territory immediately,” the ministry said in a statement on February 23.
According to Russian census figures, there were some 1.9 million Ukrainians in Russia as of 2010, with many mixed families of Ukrainians and Russians, although many more are there on a temporary basis.
Meanwhile, the Russian state-run news agency TASS said on February 23 that Russia has started to evacuate staff from its diplomatic sites in Ukraine as tensions grow between the two countries.
Ukraine is facing what the West says is the threat of an imminent full-scale invasion by Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin this week recognized the independence bids by two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and said he would send Russian troops to the territories, moves condemned by the West and the United Nations.
Separately, Ukraine said it is calling up military reservists aged 18-60 for up to a year of service but that it is not ordering a general mobilization of troops at this time.
