The US Embassy in Kyiv has urged Americans to be extra cautious in the region due to "tensions," particularly in light of the situation in Ukraine.

The #US State Department did not confirm nor deny the news about evacuating the families of its embassy workers in #Kyiv.#USA#Ukraine#UkraineCrisis https://t.co/KesPf8u4nt

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 22, 2022

The US Embassy stressed that it "reminds US citizens to exercise increased awareness and vigilance regarding political and military tensions in the region. Concerning reports of further unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine’s borders, including the border with Kyiv, continue." 

Furthermore, it went on to say that US citizens in Kyiv are being urged to avoid protests and to "regularly reevaluate possible departure plans in the event of an emergency."

The embassy also warned visitors that Kyiv's travel advice remains at level 4, conveying a preference of "do not travel".

In response to security concerns, the State Department on Sunday approved the voluntary departure of US direct-hire personnel and ordered the eviction of qualified family members from the embassy in Kyiv.

The Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees (USDH) and ordered the departure of eligible family members (EFM) from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action. https://t.co/esXkJ6h0Nt

— U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) January 24, 2022

US citizens in Ukraine are also directed to avoid using commercial transportation choices.

At a Sunday briefing, a senior State Department official stated that the US Embassy in Kyiv would continue to operate normally, but that the US would not be able to evacuate US nationals from Ukraine if the security situation worsened.

In the same context, the State Department amended its travel recommendation for Russia on Sunday, urging US citizens not to travel to Russia, due to "ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine”.

Moscow expressed on Sunday its worries of military provocations from the US and Ukraine on the eve of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, which is scheduled to run from the 4th of February to the 20th.

These developments came amid western claims of a Russian troop buildup on the border with Ukraine and preparing for a military invasion - accusations Russia has long been denying.

The West had previously threatened Russia with "heavy sanctions", but Putin said that Moscow pursues a peaceful foreign policy; however, it has the right to defend its security.