Americans in Ukraine have been told to leave now as fears of a Russian invasion grow.
The US embassy in Kiev released an alert on Wednesday afternoon urging its expats to leave while there’s still time.
"The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Ukraine to consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options," it said.
It comes as elite Russian paratroopers were seen being moved close to the Ukrainian border amid fears of a military operation to occupy the nation's capital.
A train with the Russian crack troops and their equipment was spotted moving west through the Bryansk region, which borders both Ukraine and Belarus, towards the potential war zone.
Nearly 130,000 military personnel have already been dispatched by Moscow to the north and east of their former Soviet allies.
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The message to US citizens said: "The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable due to the increased threat of Russian military action and can deteriorate with little notice.
"The US Embassy urges US citizens in Ukraine to consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options."
It went on to say, US citizens wishing to depart have multiple options from all Ukrainian international airports.
It added: "The Embassy remains open and able to process US passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and can also provide repatriation loans for US citizens who cannot afford at this time to purchase a commercial ticket to the United States."
For further information, it urged anyone in need of assistance to contact KyivACS@state.gov
US president Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin "continues to build forces along Ukraine's border", and an attack "would be the largest invasion since the Second World War.
"It would change the world."
He warned that there would be serious economic consequences for Mr Putin, including personal sanctions, in the event of an invasion.
Biden is understood to be mulling over shipping up to 50,000 troops to help protect Ukraine.
Nato has confirmed it is sending additional ships and fighter jets in response to the build-up of troops from the Kremlin.
It has also put extra troops on standby.
Downing Street has said British combat troops would not be used to defend Ukraine.
The PM's official spokesman said there were "further signs of Russian aggression" on the country's border and that "the West is - we are - ready to act if needed".
Amid the soaring tensions, the US, Britain, Australia, Germany and Canada have all moved to withdraw some of their diplomats and dependents from Kyiv.
