Australia urged to leave Ukraine urgently as tensions rise with Russia

Australians are ordered to leave Ukraine NOW with threat of war with Russia looming – as 100,000 troops gather at the border

• Australians in Ukraine urged to leave immediately as threat of Russia increases
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised its advice to ‘Do Not Travel’
• Russia has amassed 100,000 troops at the border but denies planning to invade 

Australians in Ukraine are being urged to leave immediately as the threat of Russian military action against the country increases.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday night raised its advice to ‘Do Not Travel’.

‘Australians in Ukraine should leave now by commercial means, where safe to do so, noting that flight availability could change or be suspended at short notice,’ it said in a statement.

Australians in Ukraine are being urged to leave immediately as the threat of Russian military action against the country increases (pictured, a convoy of Russian vehicles on January 18)

A build-up of Russian troops, the West says is in preparation for a war to prevent Ukraine joining NATO (pictured, a map outlining where Russian and US troops are stationed)

‘Australians who decide to remain in Ukraine should review their personal security plans, be prepared to shelter in place if required, maintain heightened security awareness and register with DFAT.’

Tensions in Ukraine have been increasing for months after the Kremlin massed about 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, a build-up the West says is preparation for a war to prevent Ukraine joining NATO.

The Kremlin has repeatedly denied planning to invade.

DFAT’s advice comes as family members of Australian diplomats prepare to depart Kyiv. It follows similar moves by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Australian security officials are also negotiating ways to help Ukraine defend itself against cyber attacks, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has asked Australia’s critical technology ambassador, Tobias Feakin, to lead the talks on the best way to deter attacks on the critical systems, the Herald says.

Tensions in Ukraine have been increasing for months after the Kremlin massed about 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders (pictured, pedestrians in Donetsk, Ukraine on January 24)

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