Russian bombs and missiles could begin landing on key targets in Ukraine with almost no notice if Moscow gives the order for an offensive to begin, the UK has warned, amid a growing standoff between the two eastern-European nations.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Armed Forces Under-Secretary James Heappey told Britons in Ukraine that they are at risk of great danger if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade.
“I’m being very, very clear to people that they should leave Ukraine now, while there are the commercial means to do so, and while the motorways [sic] are available for them to drive out over the border” Heappey said.
“This isn’t a warning about something that could happen in three months’ time,” the minister went on. “This isn’t a warning that will be followed by further warnings because greater imminence has been reached. This is a warning because minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities. And that means British citizens should leave now, while they have the opportunity to do so.”