US Citizens Told Depart Ukraine Now By Any Means Possible In New Embassy Alert

Ukraine in the past days has made it clear that it thinks both the US and UK’s reduction of embassy staff and their families is an overreaction. On Monday and Tuesday, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told parliament “there are no grounds to believe” Russia will invade imminently. “Don’t worry, sleep well,” Reznikov said. “No need to have your bags packed.” Ukrainian leaders have expressed anger over the move driven by ‘hysteria’ while outright rejecting as “premature” a State Department travel advisory for Ukraine on Sunday that cited “the increased threats of Russian military action.”

Apparently undeterred by the contradiction and what it’s eastern European ally is clearly advising against, the Biden administration has pulled the trigger on Wednesday, issuing an urgent advisory telling all American citizens they should depart Ukraine amid signs of an “imminent” Russian offensive. 

New alert from @USEmbassyKyiv urges U.S. citizens in Ukraine to consider departing now. “The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable due to the increased threat of Russian military action and can deteriorate with little notice.” pic.twitter.com/0YKEjCQ9JU

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) January 26, 2022

“The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine is urging U.S. citizens in the country to consider departing now via commercial or other privately available transportation options, citing increased threat of Russian military action,” according to Bloomberg.

The embassy’s new security alert reads precisely:

“The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Ukraine to consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options.”

The acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine told @ABC News that an order for diplomats’ families at the embassy to leave the country was issued because Russia could attack “any day now” if it chose. https://t.co/nRdGmIPBsm pic.twitter.com/gpZcBHIGh5

— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2022

Just the day prior a US Embassy official and Kiev explained that diplomats’ families at the embassy had been asked to leave the country because Russia could attack “any day now” if it chose – which echoed a prior statement by White House press secretary of Jen Psaki. 

This as the US has continued to fly arms shipments into Kiev, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, which will presumably be sent to the front lines on Donbass.

~300 Javelins.

79 tons of security assistance for 🇺🇦’s armed forces.

Tonight, the third shipment of $200 million in assistance authorized by President Biden arrived at Boryspil Airport in Kyiv. The 🇺🇸 stands with 🇺🇦, and we will continue to provide 🇺🇦 the support it needs. pic.twitter.com/RIPMLMOmIY

— U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) January 25, 2022

In this fresh alert urging the departure of Americans, it appears Washington has its recent experience of the chaotic and botched Afghan evacuation in mind, wanting to avoid another such disaster. This after days ago the administration admitted that in the instance of a rapid Russian offensive into Ukraine, it simply wouldn’t have the capability to get all US citizens out.