By Harold W. Reid, The Chicago Times
January 23, 2022
WASHINGTON – The US Department of State has advised family members of US Embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the county as the threat of a Russian invasion increases. The State Department has also advised that non-essential embassy staff and private US citizens to leave Ukraine.
According to intelligence reports, Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops along the Ukraine border. Russian intent has been a concern for NATO ever since Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. Russia has denied plans to invade Ukraine.
The US Embassy in Kiev released a statement warning that “military action by Russia could come at any time and the United States government will not be in a position to evacuate American citizens in such a contingency.”
NATO is also bolstering its defenses in the Baltic Sea region. The Royal Danish Navy has dispatched a frigate and F-16 fighters to Lithuania. Spain has also sent fighter jets to Bulgaria and three Spanish Navy warships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces. In addition, the Netherlands plans to send two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria.
According to the Pentagon, the Biden administration has been given range of options to support NATO forces in Eastern Europe and the Baltics. With the endorsement of the US, NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania plan to send US made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.
The Chicago Times 