Washington: The United States has warned that Russia could invade Ukraine in days and ordered US citizens to leave within 48 hours.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters in Washington that more than 1 lakh Russian troops massed next to Ukraine could attack “any day now”, the AFP reported.
The US believes the attack could start with an aerial bombing of civilians. Sullivan said the attack “could occur” before the Beijing Olympics end on February 20, dismissing speculation that the Kremlin won’t invade Ukraine during the Games as Russia and China are allies.
Sullivan said the US feared a “rapid assault” on capital Kyiv.
“If a Russian attack on Ukraine proceeds, it is likely to begin with aerial bombing and missile attacks that could obviously kill civilians,” he said, according to the AFP report.
Russian naval forces and troops have surrounded Ukraine to the south, east and north.
