Feb 23, 2022: According to a report by Reuters, Russia has started evacuating diplomatic staff from all of its missions in Ukraine, as per TASS news agency reports who cited a representative of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv.
The embassy as well as the consulate general in Odessa were seen on Wednesday with Russian flags taken down.
“Several cars left the territory of the consulate in the morning,” a member of the Ukrainian National Guard who was on duty near the Russian consulate in Odessa told Reuters.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that it had withdrawn its diplomatic staff from Ukraine for security reasons, a day after President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two separate territories in eastern Ukraine. Russian troops were ordered to “keep the peace” there, while large numbers of troops were also deployed.
The United States and its allies on Wednesday unveiled further sanctions against Russia over its recognition of two separatist territories, saying they were taking tougher measures in the event of a large-scale attack by Moscow.
Last week, a video was circulating online of smoke rising from the chimney of the Russian embassy. An employee said staff burned documents before departure.
“This is an ordinary procedure. In cases like we have now there is a set of measures that should be taken for security reasons,” the employee said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry requested President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to break off diplomatic ties with Russia in response the recognition of independence of separatist-held regions.
President Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he was considering the request.
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