Rising tensions on Russia's border with Ukraine prompted Moscow to evacuate
diplomats and their families from its embassy in Kiev and consulate in Lvov.
The New York Times reported, citing officials who did not want to be named.
According to a report published on Monday, the newspaper claimed that 18
people, mainly the children and wives of Russian diplomats, had left Ukraine
on January 5.
A further 30 people are thought to have left in the two weeks that followed,
and diplomats from two other Russian consulates in Kharkov and Odessa have
reportedly been told to prepare to leave the country. According to the New
York Times, officials from the US and Ukraine confirmed that the Russian
diplomat had left.
In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the Russian Embassy
in Kiev was functioning normally, but did not deny any downsizing.
Reports of this evacuation come as Moscow is accused by Western countries of
building troops on the border with Ukraine, allegedly with the intention of
attacking the country in the coming weeks and months.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied plans to invade Ukraine and has given the
impression that NATO is using the specter of "Russian aggression" as a
pretext to deploy more military equipment in the region.
Last week, US news agency CNN claimed that an "operations group" trained in
urban warfare and the use of explosives had been sent to carry out acts of
sabotage against Russia's own proxy forces to create a pretext for military
intervention in Ukraine.
Citing anonymous sources, it confirms earlier statements by United States
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who claimed that American
intelligence had reason to believe that Moscow was plotting a scenario in
which Russia could justify a military attack on Ukraine.
"Russia is laying the groundwork for having options to create pretexts for
an invasion, including through sabotage activities and information
operations, by accusing Ukraine of preparing an imminent attack on Russian
forces in Eastern Ukraine," Sullivan said.
