On Monday morning, American officials issue a new alert urging its citizens in Ukraine to “leave immediately,” citing potential “disruptions in travel.”
The press release stated: “The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens to depart Ukraine immediately using commercial or private means due to the increased threat of Russian military action.”
The press release indicated that the “security situation” in the region remains “unpredictable” and may “deteriorate with little notice.”
The report also indicated that Russian military operations could “severely restrict commercial air travel” and potentially impact the ability to leave the country safely.
The report comes as Ukraine and Russia exchanged serious allegations over the last 24 hours. Moscow claimed that Ukrainian soldiers crossed into its territory and attacked Russian forces. Ukraine denies the allegations.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter: “No, Ukraine did NOT: Attack Donetsk or Luhansk; send saboteurs or APCs over the Russian border; shell Russian territory; shell Russian border crossing; conduct acts of sabotage.”
Late Sunday, Russian military officials announced the Ukrainian incursion, noting that Russian forces killed five Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed two armored vehicles.
Ukrainian and American officials have warned that Russia was planning false flag events to justify advancing into Ukrainian territory.
The Biden administration has stepped up its verbal warnings to Russia. On Sunday, the U.S. State Department sent a letter to the United Nations Human Rights Chief claiming, “Moscow has compiled a list of Ukrainians to be killed or sent to detention camps after the invasion.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the claim saying no such list exists.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed rebels in the Donbas region has claimed more than 14,000 lives since 2014. The Epoch Times reports that “shelling spiked” in that area last week.
On Monday, the head of the self-declared Lugansk People’s Republic, Leonid Pasechnik, said Russian President Vladimir Putin should recognize regions in the disputed area as independent states.
The Ukrainian government claims that area and is not supportive of separatist movements.
Denis Pushilin, leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, also called on Russia to recognize the region as an independent state:
“I ask you to recognize the sovereignty and independence of the Lugansk People’s Republic. I also ask you to consider the possibility of concluding a friendship and cooperation agreement between the LPR and the Russian Federation, including cooperation in defense,” Pasechnik said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalensky has pushed back against Russia’s attempts to divide and conquer, pledging that Ukraine is committed to joining NATO.
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