US asks families of government employees to leave Belarus

Washington cites concerns about Russian military build-up along Belarus border as reason for departure

The US flag flies behind a fence at the embassy in Minsk, capital of Belarus. AFP

The US has instructed families of its government employees in Belarus to leave the country, the State Department said, hours after Washington and Moscow clashed over Ukraine at the UN Security Council.

The State Department announced the order in a travel advisory issued on Monday.

It also warned Americans not to travel to Belarus “due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, and unusual and concerning Russian military build-up along Belarus's border with Ukraine.”

America also accused Russia on Monday of planning to build its military force in its ally Belarus to 30,000 within weeks.

The US and Britain said they are prepared to punish Russian elites close to President Vladimir Putin with asset freezes and travel bans if Russia enters Ukraine, as tensions also spilled over at the UN.

A Russian soldier attends a military exercise at the Golovenki training ground in the Moscow region, Russia. AP Photo

A member of the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces takes part in anti-aircraft military drills in the Volyn region, Ukraine. Reuters

People walk past a sign reading 'I Love Ukraine' in the central square in Kiev. EPA

Russian naval frigate 'Admiral Essen' sails during an exercise in the Black Sea. AP

Employees of essential city industries and services attend a military training session outside Lviv, Ukraine. Reuters

Airman 1st Class Olabode Igandan organises ammunition, weapons and other equipment bound for Ukraine during a foreign military sales mission at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. AP

A member of the public waves a Ukrainian flag at a rally attended by soldiers and police in Odessa, Ukraine. Bloomberg

A Ukrainian serviceman patrols the front line near Avdiivka village, not far from the pro-Russian militant-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine. EPA

A Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter jet participates in Nato's Baltic Air Policing Mission in Lithuanian airspace. AP

Russia has stationed more than 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine, sending tensions soaring with intense efforts by Nato allies to deter an invasion.

Moscow has also already sent some 5,000 troops to Belarus, the US said.

“We've seen evidence that Russia intends to expand that presence to more than 30,000 troops near the Belarus border” with Ukraine by early February, US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council on Monday, noting that the forces would be “less than two hours north of Kiev”.

Her Russian counterpart, Vassily Nebenza, rejected the allegations and said that the troops in Belarus were there for joint exercises.

He said Washington was engaging “in hysterics” by calling the council meeting held on Monday.

Mr Nebenza said no Russian official had threatened to invade the former Soviet republic and that Ukrainians were being “brainwashed” by the “Russiaphobia” of the West.