Foreign ministry advises against non-essential travel to Ukraine

Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has advised Polish citizens against travelling to Ukraine amid fears of a Russian invasion.

"Due to the changing security situation caused by military and political escalation by the Russian Federation, the MFA advises against travel to Ukraine that is not essential," the foreign ministry tweeted on Saturday.

The MFA wrote that Poles should not travel to the Separatist-held eastern parts of Donbas region and to Russia-occupied Crimea and those who are there should leave those areas as quickly as possible.

"Tension is not easing in the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, there is a serious threat to civilians, military forces are conducting military operations," the foreign ministry said. "The MFA calls on Polish citizens to immediately leave parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces beyond the control of the Ukrainian government as well as areas adjacent to the demarcation line and the Crimean peninsula," the statement read.

The ministry added that it could not ensure consular support to Polish citizens remaining there.

Following a warning from the United States of a possible Russian attack, the USA, UK, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Germany among others have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine.

On Friday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there was a real risk an attack on Ukraine would occur before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 20.

Sullivan said US intelligence had no information as to whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had taken a decision to renew aggression against Ukraine. He added, however, that the risk of an invasion was rising with the inflow of further forces around Ukraine's borders.