The U.S. State Department has issued a new advisory urging Americans in Ukraine to leave the country at the earliest possibility, strengthening earlier warnings that urged U.S. citizens to "consider" such action.
"Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19," the February 10 advisory states.
"Those in Ukraine should depart now via commercial or private means," it adds.
"If remaining in Ukraine, exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and potential combat operations should Russia take military action. Some areas have increased risk."
Tensions are high in the region amid a flurry of diplomatic activity involving Western leaders and Russia following moves by Moscow to mass at least 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine.
Western leaders have expressed concerns of a possible new invasion by Russia of Ukraine. Russia already invaded Ukraine in 2014, seizing the Crimea region and aiding separatists in the eastern portion of the country.
Russia denies it is planning to invade Ukraine, even as it holds massive military maneuvers with ally Belarus involving some 30,000 troops.
On February 1, the State Department warned American travelers to avoid nearby Belarus due to the "arbitrary enforcement" of laws, the risk of detention, and the "unusual and concerning" Russian military buildup along Belarus's border with Ukraine.
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That advisory came as Canada told its citizens to avoid all travel to Ukraine citing "ongoing Russian threats and the risk of armed conflict."
On January 26, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued an alert urging Americans in Ukraine to considering leaving the country given the "unpredictable" situation amid heightened tensions with Russia over its troop buildup near the border, surrounding Ukraine from the north, east, and south.
"The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable due to the increased threat of Russian military action and can deteriorate with little notice," the embassy said in a statement at that time.
"The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Ukraine to consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options," it added.
