Foreign secretary warns Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen ‘at any moment’

The foreign secretary Liz Truss has warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen imminently

In a press conference, Truss confirmed she had chaired a COBR meeting on Russia’s ongoing threat.

She explained that: “The latest information suggests Russia could invade at any moment and we urge the Kremlin to deescalate.”

“Our focus is on prioritising the safety and security of British nationals in Ukraine. We are doing everything possible to prevent a Russian invasion in Ukraine, while also preparing for the worst.”

She went on to reiterate that a war in Ukraine would be “disastrous” and that Russian oligarch with UK-based assets would face sever sanctions in the event a full-scale war went ahead.

On Saturday defence minister James Heappey confirmed that there will be no British troops in Ukraine in the case of an invasion, adding that Russia could invade “at no notice”.

British personnel have been in Ukraine on a training mission codenamed Operation Orbital over the past decade, whereas others have been deployed there recently to train the Ukrainian military on anti-tank missiles.

The order to return comes as all British nationals in Ukraine have been advised to leave as soon as possible. Advice was updated advice last night to say UK nationals should “leave now while commercial means are still available”. Australia, Canada, Japan and the Netherlands are among those issuing similar advice.

Those who remain, Mr Heappey has clarified, should not expect an Afghanistan-style military evacuation.