FRONT LINE: Ukrainians brace for a possible Russian invasion, while the Americans and Britons start evacuation of its embassy staff.

Here's what you need to know about the Ukraine-Russia Tension: 

• The United States has ordered relatives of its embassy staff to leave, saying an invasion could come soon. 
• The United Kingdom has begun to withdraw staff from the British embassy in Kiev, Ukraine amid warnings of a possible Russian invasion. 
• Russia continues to deny plans for military action, arguing NATO support for Ukraine constitutes a growing threat on Russia's western flank. 
• Ukraine receives another weapons shipment of weapons from the United States amid the looming threat of a possible Russian invasion. 
• German navy chief resigns after remarks on Crimea region and Putin deserving respect. 
• The UK foreign office alleges that the Kremlin is planning to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv. 

Armed Russian military vehicle along Crimea Road,Ukraine-Russia tensions are soaring

Positions of Russian military build-up

        Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest since the 2014 Annexation of Crimea, with a Russian troop build-up near the border spurring fears that Moscow could soon launch an invasion. 

Departure and Evacuation of staff 

        On Sunday, the U.S State Department announced it would reduce staff levels at the United State Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, starting with the departure of non-essential staff and family members. According to State Department officials, the decision was made out of caution as the threat to U.S personnel in Ukraine might increase in any time. 

        In addition, the United Kingdom started withdrawing staff from the British embassy in Kiev amid warnings of a possible Russian invasion. Other European embassies in Kyiv are yet to respond if they will advise their staff to leave the embassy.

Weapon shipment from the U.S

        On Friday, the first shipment of security assistance from the United States arrived in Ukraine. According to the U.S Embassy in Kyiv, this shipment included close to 200,000 pounds of lethal aid, including ammunition for the front line defenders of Ukraine. 

        These shipments from the United States is meant to convince Moscow to de-escalate the build-up at the Ukrainian border, where Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops.

Sanctions against Russia

        On Sunday, the U.S Secretary of State defended the administration's unwillingness to impose sanctions against the Kremlin preemptively, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling the US and its European allies to sanction Moscow now for its massive troop build-up along Ukraine's borders.

Resignation of chief of German navy

        The chief of German navy, Vice-Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach has resigned after suggesting that Crimea region would never come back to Ukraine. His statement is in direct contradiction to the stance taken by the German government, the European Union and NATO. Admiral Schönbach got into hot soup over several remarks suggesting the Russian President deserve respect.

Installation of a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv

        On Saturday, the UK foreign office released a statement that the Kremlin is planning to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine.

        The former Ukrainian politician MP Yevhen Murayev is a potential candidate. Other former officials include Serhiy Arbuzov, Ukraine First Deputy Prime Minister(2012-2014); Andriy Kluyev, First Deputy Prime Minister (2010-2012) and Chief of Staff to former Ukrainian President Yanukovich; Vladimir Sivkovich, former Deputy Head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council; and Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2010-2014). 

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