The reports by the British “Daily Mail” and the German “Der Spiegel” came after a night in which the British government asked thousands of its nationals to leave Ukraine immediately, amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion.
The newspaper quoted a US intelligence official as saying that the invasion order could be issued within days.
The Foreign Office has updated its advice to British nationals in Ukraine, saying they should now leave via commercial transport, amid growing fears they could find themselves caught up in the fighting that could erupt suddenly, including the deadly aerial bombardment of the capital, Kiev.
The update on British measures came 24 hours after the United States issued a similar order to its nationals.
The European Union informed non-essential staff from its diplomatic mission in Kiev to leave, but it did not go so far as to evacuate completely.
These developments came after US intelligence concluded that Russia will launch an attack on Ukraine, next Wednesday, 16 February.
The CIA and other intelligence services said they had obtained detailed plans, including the routes that Russian forces would take during the supposed military operation.
After that, the US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, stated that he expected Putin to invade Ukraine at any moment, which calls for the immediate expulsion of the American citizens, because Washington will not return to save anyone.
He said that this should be done within 24-48 hours, because the risk is high enough.
US media reported that Russia’s war on Ukraine would begin with massive aerial bombardment and be accompanied by electronic warfare, such as a ground invasion with a possible goal of regime change in Ukraine.
Adding to the seriousness of the situation, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, warned the city’s residents of the possibility of an imminent Russian attack.
And Klitschko issued, last night, on the media, speaking of preparations to secure communications in the event of disruption of the Internet and the telephone network, and the storage of fuel.
