Ukraine Citizens Told To Evacuate Russia

Russia has started evacuating its embassy in Kyiv and Ukraine urged its citizens to leave Russia as the region braced for further confrontation after Vladimir Putin received authorisation to use military force outside his country and the West responded with sanctions.

Hopes for a diplomatic way out of a potentially devastating war appeared all but sunk as the US and key European allies accused Moscow on Tuesday of crossing a red line in rolling over Ukraine's border into separatist regions - with some calling it an invasion.

Russia began pulling personnel from its diplomatic posts in Ukraine, state news agency Tass reported, a day after the Foreign Ministry announced a plan to evacuate, citing threats.

By yesterday afternoon, the Russian flag was no longer flying over the embassy in Kyiv, according to an Associated Press photographer.

Police surrounded the building.

After weeks of trying to project calm, Ukrainian authorities signalled increasing concern yesterday.

The Foreign Ministry advised against travel to Russia and recommended anyone there leave immediately, saying Moscow's “aggression could lead to a significant reduction in consular services.

The head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council called for a nationwide state of emergency - subject to parliamentary approval.