Americans urged to leave Ukraine immediately ahead of expected Russian strikes on civilian targets

Washington: The US government has urged Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, warning that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch attacks on civilian infrastructure and government facilities ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day.

"The US Embassy urges US citizens to depart Ukraine now using privately available ground transportation options if it is safe to do so," the embassy's website said.

"The security situation throughout Ukraine is highly volatile and conditions may deteriorate without warning."

The renewed US warning comes as Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine approaches the six month mark on Wednesday.

It follows similar warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials that Moscow may carry out intense attacks, including missile strikes, to coincide Ukraine's Independence Day on Wednesday.

"We must all be aware that this week Russia could try to do something particularly ugly, something particularly vicious," Zelensky said in a video message over the weekend.

In Kyiv, the city military administration issued a ban on all big gatherings between Monday and Thursday, saying "it is forbidden to hold mass events, peaceful meetings, rallies and other events related to a large gathering of people", a CNN report said. (UNI)