US warns Russia could invade Ukraine before end of Winter Olympics

The US has warned Russia could invade Ukraine “at any time” in the coming days, with foreigners urged to leave the nation.

The US has warned Russia could invade Ukraine “at any time” in the coming days, with foreigners urged to leave the nation. Picture: Mandel Ngan and Mikhail Metzel/AFP

In its starkest warning yet, the US has declared Russia could invade Ukraine “at any time” in the coming days, with foreign nationals urged to get out.

The Biden administration told reporters on Friday local time that as Russian President Vladimir Putin moves more troops toward the Ukrainian border, a full-scale invasion of the latter nation could start before the end of the Winter Olympics.

“We continue to see signs of Russian escalation, including new forces arriving at the Ukrainian border,” President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said.

He added that an invasion could begin “during the Olympics” in Beijing – scheduled to end next week on February 20 – and warned all Americans to leave Ukraine in the next 24 to 48 hours.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is visiting Australia for talks with Quad foreign ministers, echoed the sentiment.

“We’re in a window when an invasion could begin at any time, and to be clear, that includes during the Olympics,” he told reporters in Melbourne.

“Simply put, we continue to see very troubling signs of Russian escalation, including new forces arriving at the Ukrainian border.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Picture: Kevin Lamarque/AFP

Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Picture: Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/AFP

Commercial satellite images published by a private US company showed new Russian military deployments at several locations near Ukraine.

American officials had previously warned of the grim toll if Mr Putin proceeds with a full military invasion of Ukraine – including the potential deaths of 25,000 to 50,000 civilians, 5000 to 25,000 members of the Ukrainian military and 3000 to 10,000 members of the Russian military.

Despite America’s increased warnings, Russia has repeatedly denied it plans to invade Ukraine.

Tanks during joint exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus as part of an inspection of the Union State's Response Force, at a firing range in Belarus. Picture: Handout/Russian Defence Ministry/AFP

But Mr Sullivan said that officials believed that an attack would likely start with missile and aerial attacks, and continue with a ground invasion.

“Russia could choose in very short order to commence a major military action against Ukraine,” he said, adding that officials could not be sure exactly when, or if, Mr Putin may decide to invade.

“The risk is now high enough and the threat is now immediate enough that this is what prudence demands.

“We believe he very well may give the final ‘go’ order but we are not standing here before you today saying the order has been given.”

As alarm spreads over the situation, Japan and the Netherlands have also told their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately.

In an interview with the NBC’s Lester Holt on Thursday, the US President said, “American citizens should leave, should leave now”.

Mr Biden said there was no scenario that could prompt him to send troops to rescue Americans if or when Russia does invade.

“We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. This is a very different situation, and things could go crazy quickly,” he added.

“That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. We’re in a very different world than we’ve ever been in.”