Russian armoured tanks painted with a letter 'Z' move towards Ukraine border in huge convoys and eastern region is rocked by shelling as British expats vow to 'fight like devils'

 A Russian invasion force of armoured tanks painted with a letter 'Z' and huge convoys were seen rolling towards the Ukraine border - as the eastern region continues to be rocked by shelling and British expats have vowed to 'fight like devils'. 

Around 200 military vehicles were spotted in Shebekino, Russia, just across the border from Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast, with 'Z' markings 'applied hastily' to the backs of most vehicles.It is suspected the markings have been allocated for specific roles amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion, with footage showing the letters sprayed on tanks, self-propelled guns, fuel trucks and supply vehicles.

Independent Russian Telegram channel Hunter’s Notes, which closely monitors military movements, said 'all equipment [marked with "Z"] was seen near Kursk and in the Shebekino region of Belgorod' on the border with Ukraine. 

The tactic mirrors that used by UK and US forces in the First Gulf War when the allied invasion sent to liberate Kuwait marked vehicles with a distinctive upturned chevron [^] to avoid friendly fire once action begins.

'It would suggest final preparations are complete,' a source in Ukraine told The Sun. 'The Ukrainians have very similar tanks and vehicles and [the Russians] will want to reduce the risk of friendly fire.'

It comes as explosions shook eastern Ukraine late on Saturday, after the NATO chief warned the signals coming out of Russia suggest that Moscow is readying for a 'full-fledged attack'. 

Hundreds of artillery shells have exploded along the contact line between Ukrainian soldiers and Russia-backed separatists, further increasing fears that the volatile region could see a Russian invasion. 

Thousands of civilians have been evacuated from increasingly barraged front line regions, where Kyiv said two of its soldiers had died in an attack yesterday - the first fatalities in the conflict for more than a month.

But one British expat said he was part of a small community ready to help armed resistance volunteers and 'fight like devils' in the event of an invasion.

He told the BBC: 'We are here, we are ready to fight and we will fight like devils, I tell you. There is a small expat community here but we will join with our Ukrainian partners, our Ukrainian friends and Ukrainian family.'  

French President Emmanuel Macron will call Russia's Vladimir Putin on Sunday to try to avert what Western powers predict will be an imminent invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for Vladimir Putin to meet him for talks amid the escalating crisis, saying 'I don't know what the president of the Russian Federation wants', but that Ukraine would continue 'to follow only the diplomatic path'.

The Kremlin insists it has no incursion plans, but its test-firing of nuclear-capable missiles Saturday did little to alleviate tensions.

However, British and US intelligence has suggested that Putin has already issued a 'go' order to trigger his invasion plan.

It is expected that Russia will follow false flag operations and brushes with Ukrainian military in the Donbas region with an attack led by separatist groups, before Russian troops 'take a bite out of Ukraine' or launch a full invasion, The Sunday Times reports.  

A security source added: 'I would expect a massive opening salvo to try to remove the government in Kyiv. The Russians have positioned cruise missiles to take out the capital.'

Dmitry Polyanskiy, the first deputy permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations, has also accused the West of 'warmongering" by creating an 'artificial crisis' in Ukraine.

He told Sky News' Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme that Moscow had the 'right to be concerned' by the placement of Nato infrastructure and troops 'near our border'.  Russian armoured tanks painted with a letter 'Z' and huge convoys are moving towards the Ukraine border. It is suspected the markings have been allocated for specific roles amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion - as shelling rocked the east of the country

Russian armoured tanks painted with a letter 'Z' and huge convoys are moving towards the Ukraine border. It is suspected the markings have been allocated for specific roles amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion - as shelling rocked the east of the country 

The tactic mirrors that used by UK and US forces in the First Gulf War when the allied invasion sent to liberate Kuwait marked vehicles with a distinctive upturned chevron [^] to avoid friendly fire once action begins

The tactic mirrors that used by UK and US forces in the First Gulf War when the allied invasion sent to liberate Kuwait marked vehicles with a distinctive upturned chevron [^] to avoid friendly fire once action begins

It is suspected the markings have been allocated for specific roles amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion, with footage showing the letters sprayed on tanks, self-propelled guns, fuel trucks and supply vehicles
It is suspected the markings have been allocated for specific roles amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion, with footage showing the letters sprayed on tanks, self-propelled guns, fuel trucks and supply vehicles

It is suspected the markings have been allocated for specific roles amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion, with footage showing the letters sprayed on tanks, self-propelled guns, fuel trucks and supply vehicles

A Russian and Belarussian convoy heading south via the Gomel region towards the border with Ukraine.

A Russian and Belarussian convoy heading south via the Gomel region towards the border with Ukraine. 

Memebers of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) on ceasefire and stabilization of the demarcation line inspect a house damaged in a shelling by Ukrainian troops near the village of Pionerskoye

Memebers of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) on ceasefire and stabilization of the demarcation line inspect a house damaged in a shelling by Ukrainian troops near the village of Pionerskoye

A car bomb in Donetsk close to the Government House building at around 7pm on Saturday. It comes as 1,500 ceasefire violations were reported in east Ukraine in one day

A car bomb in Donetsk close to the Government House building at around 7pm on Saturday. It comes as 1,500 ceasefire violations were reported in east Ukraine in one day

Military hardware of Russian Army Western Military District tank army units loaded onto a troop train as it returns from recent routine drills to permanent deployment sites

Military hardware of Russian Army Western Military District tank army units loaded onto a troop train as it returns from recent routine drills to permanent deployment sites

Anton Olegovich Sidorov, a soldier of the 30th OMBR, is understood to have been killed during the Russian shelling in the East of Ukraine yesterday

Anton Olegovich Sidorov, a soldier of the 30th OMBR, is understood to have been killed during the Russian shelling in the East of Ukraine yesterday

A convoy of tanks 25km from the Ukraine border as it is confirmed that Russian military exercises in Belarus will continue on Sunday

A convoy of tanks 25km from the Ukraine border as it is confirmed that Russian military exercises in Belarus will continue on Sunday

Civilians from Donetsk and Lugansk, located in the separatist-controlled Donbas region, are being evacuated to camps in Rostov, Russia

Civilians from Donetsk and Lugansk, located in the separatist-controlled Donbas region, are being evacuated to camps in Rostov, Russia

People who have been evacuated from the separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine fill in and submit documents in a temporary accommodation centre in the Rostob region of Russia on Sunday

People who have been evacuated from the separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine fill in and submit documents in a temporary accommodation centre in the Rostob region of Russia on Sunday

A car bomb in Donetsk on Saturday evening. Civilians have been evacuated from the region, where Kyiv said two of its soldiers had died in an attack

Civilians train with members of the Georgian Legion, a paramilitary unit formed mainly by ethnic Georgian volunteers to fight against the Russian forces in 201. It comes as one British expat said a small community would 'fight like devils'

Civilians train with members of the Georgian Legion, a paramilitary unit formed mainly by ethnic Georgian volunteers to fight against the Russian forces in 201. It comes as one British expat said a small community would 'fight like devils'

Russian tanks pictured leaving the border with Ukraine on Friday following the completion of joint exercises with Belarus as diplomatic tensions continue to mount over fears of an imminent invasion

Russian tanks pictured leaving the border with Ukraine on Friday following the completion of joint exercises with Belarus as diplomatic tensions continue to mount over fears of an imminent invasionPresident Zelenskyy made his plea for talks with Putin hours after separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilisation and Western leaders warned a Russian invasion of its neighbour appeared imminent.

US Vice President Kamala Harris also today warned that 'we are talking about the real possibility of war in Europe'.

She added the US would impose 'some of the greatest, if not strongest' sanctions 'ever issued' in the event of a Russian invasion. 

However, Belarusian Defence Minister Victor Khrenin has confirmed that joint exercises involving Russia and Belarus forces are being extended, despite promises from Moscow that the drills would end this weekend.

He said: 'The presidents of Belarus and Russia decided to continue inspections of the readiness of Union State forces.'

Mr Khrenin added that the decision was taken due to increased military activity along the Belarusian and Russian borders and because of an 'escalation' in east Ukraine.

The drills in Belarus - which had been due to conclude Sunday - have exacerbated already soaring tensions. 

The Belarus defence ministry said upcoming stages of the large-scale drills would continue the aim of ensuring a sufficient military response to any external threats. It did not specify an end date.  

In new signs of fears that a war could start within days, Germany and Austria told their citizens to leave Ukraine. German air carrier Lufthansa cancelled flights to the capital Kyiv and to Odessa, a Black Sea port that could be a key target in an invasion. 

Fears of tensions boiling over were backed up by figures released Saturday by the OSCE, which showed there were more than 1,400 explosions in the rebel held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on Friday.

The OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission that is deployed in the conflict zone said it had logged 553 explosions in Donetsk and a further 860 in neighbouring Luhansk - adding that it had confirmed one civilian casualty in a government-controlled area of Donetsk.

It put the total number of ceasefire violations on Friday at more than 1,500, compared with 870 the day before, suggesting an upwards trajectory of gunfire and mortars. 

Ukraine's Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy experienced the clashes first-hand Saturday, ducking for cover as mortar shells fell within a few hundred metres of him while he toured the frontline with reporters.

The Kremlin insists it has no incursion plans, but its test-firing of nuclear-capable missiles Saturday did little to alleviate tensions. Russia has also been holding joint exercises with Belarus at a firing range near Brest (pictured)

The Kremlin insists it has no incursion plans, but its test-firing of nuclear-capable missiles Saturday did little to alleviate tensions. Russia has also been holding joint exercises with Belarus at a firing range near Brest (pictured)

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A T-72B tank takes part in the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A T-72B tank takes part in the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

Photos released by Belarus' Ministry of Defence show Russian and Belarusian soldiers shaking hands while taking part in joint operations in Brest

Photos released by Belarus' Ministry of Defence show Russian and Belarusian soldiers shaking hands while taking part in joint operations in Brest

It came as US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday during a visit to Lithuania that Russian troops dotted along Ukraine's border are 'uncoiling' and 'poised to strike'.

The origin of the explosions over the weekend are not clear, while there was no immediate comment from separatist authorities or from Kyiv. 

Last-ditch diplomatic efforts were underway on Sunday to prevent what Western powers warn a catastrophic European war as Mr Macron was to call his Putin as ceasefire monitors and Ukrainian commanders reported intense shelling in eastern Ukraine.

Macron met Putin on February 7 and has since, along with fellow Western leaders like Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, been urging his Russian counterpart to pull back from the brink of war.

Sunday's call, Macron's office said, represented 'the last possible and necessary effort to avoid a major conflict in Ukraine'.

But in a new suspected stunt the pro-Moscow rebel authority in Donetsk claim to have detained a Ukrainian spy who was said to be confessing to Kyiv’s aims to overrun the Donbas.

Anton Matsanyuk is alleged to have 'confirmed that Kyiv intends to use all its strike power in the forcible seizure of the Donbas', one report said.

The alleged saboteur conveniently confirmed a plan touted in recent days by Russia of a Ukrainian plan to invade Donetsk and Luhansk.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media following an appearance at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday. She warned the US would impose 'some of the greatest, if not strongest' sanctions 'ever issued'

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media following an appearance at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday. She warned the US would impose 'some of the greatest, if not strongest' sanctions 'ever issued'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy for bilateral talks during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday

Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy for bilateral talks during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) in Moscow earlier this month. The pair have shared a phone call today amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion of Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) in Moscow earlier this month. The pair have shared a phone call today amid rising tensions over an imminent invasion of Ukraine

This detailed offensive plan, which fell into the hands of Donetsk intelligence officers, was broadcast by Channel One.

He was also linked to a plan to blow up the car belonging to Denis Sinenkov, the head of the people's militia directorate of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), said Russian TV. The car was blown up in what the West say was a false flag operation on February 18.

Russian TV claimed Matsanyuk had access to classified information on Donetsk leaders, and that it was by 'sheer luck' Sinenkov was not inside his vehicle.

'I was recruited in 2018', he said as he claimed he was an agent of Ukrainian military intelligence.

Matsanyuk was allegedly forming a 'sleeping cell' to stage 'terrorist attacks' on orders from Ukraine.

In a claimed confession, he said: 'When the "H-Hour" comes, they will be instructed to place the caches with improvised explosive devices [IEDs], so that in the future these IEDs will be installed in critical facilities of the DPR; these are bridges, this is a crowd of people, these are railway crossings, also on the routes of the first people in the republic and against military motorcades.'

It comes after Jens Stoltenberg, NATO chief, warned that the risk of a Russian attack is 'very high', echoing US warnings that Russian troops dotted along Ukraine's border are 'uncoiling' and 'poised to strike'.

'Every indication indicates that Russia is planning a full-fledged attack against Ukraine,' Stoltenberg told German broadcaster ARD on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. 

'We all agree that the risk of an attack is very high.'

The United States dominates NATO, and US President Joe Biden on Friday said he was 'convinced' Russia was going to invade Ukraine within the week, and have its forces target Ukraine's capital Kyiv. 

NATO is relocating staff from Kyiv to Lviv, in the west of the country, and to the Belgian capital Brussels, which houses NATO's headquarters, for their safety, an alliance official said Saturday.

'The safety of our personnel is paramount, so staff have been relocated to Lviv and Brussels. The NATO offices in Ukraine remain operational,' the official told AFP, without giving numbers.

Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin channel NTV has revealed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov personally ordered a leak damaging to ‘insolent’ Foreign Secretary Liz Truss immediately after their talks in Moscow earlier this month.

He did so because Ms Truss showed herself to be 'a fool, and so arrogant at the same time', it was claimed in a new attack on the Tory politician who has become a Moscow target for her forthright views.Foreign Secretary Liz Truss showed herself to be 'a fool, and so arrogant at the same time' during her trip to Moscow, according to Kommersant newspaper journalist Maxim Yusin

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss showed herself to be 'a fool, and so arrogant at the same time' during her trip to Moscow, according to Kommersant newspaper journalist Maxim Yusin

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) warned that the risk of an attack is 'very high', echoing US warnings that Russian troops dotted along Ukraine's border are 'uncoiling' and 'poised to strike'

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) warned that the risk of an attack is 'very high', echoing US warnings that Russian troops dotted along Ukraine's border are 'uncoiling' and 'poised to strike'

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko oversee joint military drills from the situation room in the Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko oversee joint military drills from the situation room in the Kremlin

Huge flames and smoke fill the air after a gas pipeline was struck in the Lugansk region of Ukraine, amid fears of a Russian invasion 'within days'

Huge flames and smoke fill the air after a gas pipeline was struck in the Lugansk region of Ukraine, amid fears of a Russian invasion 'within days' 

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training groundDramatic moment militants open fire on the Ukrainian interior minister and journalists in eastern Ukraine on Saturday

Dramatic moment militants open fire on the Ukrainian interior minister and journalists in eastern Ukraine on Saturday 

Volunteers are seen during mobilisation process in military, at pro-Russian separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine on Saturday

Volunteers are seen during mobilisation process in military, at pro-Russian separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine on Saturday

Local residents of pro-Russian separatist-controlled city of Donetsk are seen during evacuation process in Rostov region on Saturday

Local residents of pro-Russian separatist-controlled city of Donetsk are seen during evacuation process in Rostov region on SaturdayKommersant newspaper journalist Maxim Yusin revealed his paper was leaked an apparent blunder by Ms Truss during the talks in confusing two regions in Russia - Voronezh and Rostov - with Ukrainian regions.

He said: 'This exchange [with Ms Truss] happened in closed negotiations. Were it not for Lavrov [deciding to leak], and sharing it with Kommersant, nobody would know about [her confusing Ukrainian and Russian regions].

'I have no doubt there were a lot of blunders when Lavrov was talking to [German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock] who is not much smarter than this madam [Truss] - but [Baerbock] didn’t behave as insolently and arrogantly.

'This is why neither her nor other interlocutors of Lavrov who slipped up became victims of making [their blunders] public. [With Truss] one can’t be a fool, and so arrogant at the same time. It’s either, or.'

In the talks, Lavrov had insisted that Russia had every right to move its armed forces on its own territory.

But Ms Truss repeated that they should be withdrawn and Lavrov countered - according to Kommersant newspaper: 'Do you recognise the sovereignty of Russia over the Rostov and Voronezh regions?'

She allegedly replied after a short pause: “Britain will never recognise Russian sovereignty over these regions.”

At this, British ambassador Deborah Bronnert was forced to intervene to correct Ms Truss and explain that these were Russian - not Ukrainian - regions, according to the accounts in Moscow.

Meanwhile, Putin put on a show of military strength today with huge new nuclear drills involving ballistic missiles, submarines, tank convoys and ship-based missiles.

In a released photo, the Russian president and Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko - often dubbed the 'Europe's last dictator' - can be seen watching the sabre-rattling drills from a situation room in the Kremlin.

It came as world leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference in Germany today - where Boris Johnson warned a Russian invasion of Ukraine could cause 'the destruction of a democratic state', adding that 'the shock will echo around the world'.

The Prime Minister said the 'omens are grim' from Russia on the possibility of an invasion in the coming days, and that the world could not 'underestimate the gravity of this moment'.   

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Western powers at the conference to stop their 'appeasement' of Russia and warned sanctions will not work on Moscow once the bombing starts - which earned him a standing ovation from world leaders. 

The conference had echoes of the 1938 summit in Munich in which leaders agreed a policy of appeasement against Adolf Hitler's Germany in an effort to prevent an imminent war.

Mr Zelensky said today: 'Ukraine has received security guarantees for abandoning the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal. We have no weapons. And no security ... 

'But we have a right - a right to demand a shift from a policy of appeasement to one ensuring security and peace.'

He added: 'For eight years, Ukraine has been a shield. For eight years, Ukraine has been holding back one of the greatest armies in the world.' 

Foreign ministers from the G7 group of rich nations said on Saturday they saw no evidence that Russia is reducing military activity near Ukraine's borders and remain 'gravely concerned' about the situation.

'We call on Russia to choose the path of diplomacy, to de-escalate tensions, to substantively withdraw military forces from the proximity of Ukraine's borders and to fully abide by international commitments,' the countries said in a joint statement released by Britain's foreign ministry.

'As a first step, we expect Russia to implement the announced reduction of its military activities along Ukraine's borders. We have seen no evidence of this reduction,' they added.

Elsewhere, NATO is relocating staff from Kyiv to Lviv, in the west of the country, and to the Belgian capital Brussels, for their safety, an alliance official said Saturday. 

Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday

Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A T-72B tank takes part in the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A T-72B tank takes part in the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday. The exercise is being held from February 10 to 20 as part of the second phase of testing response forces of Russia and Belarus

Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday. The exercise is being held from February 10 to 20 as part of the second phase of testing response forces of Russia and Belarus

A helicopter is seen flying as Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday

A helicopter is seen flying as Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday

A view of a gas pipeline hit by a blast in Frunze Street, Lugansk, Ukraine on Saturday night. Several gas pipelines were blown up in the region amid escalating tensions in the east of the country

Close up shows flames bursting from an exploded gas pipeline in Lugansk, Ukraine, as tensions with Russia escalated to new heights on Saturday

Close up shows flames bursting from an exploded gas pipeline in Lugansk, Ukraine, as tensions with Russia escalated to new heights on Saturday 

Military hardware takes part in the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

Military hardware takes part in the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday

Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in Allied Determination-2022 military drill in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday

The military exercise is being held from February 10 to 20 as part of the second phase of testing response forces of the Union State of Russia and Belarus

The military exercise is being held from February 10 to 20 as part of the second phase of testing response forces of the Union State of Russia and Belarus

Boris Johnson has warned an invasion of Ukraine could cause 'the destruction of a democratic state' and 'the shock will echo around the world'. Pictured: The Prime Minister meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

 Boris Johnson has warned an invasion of Ukraine could cause 'the destruction of a democratic state' and 'the shock will echo around the world'. Pictured: The Prime Minister meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskyyUkrainian soldier rests a rocket launcher on his shoulder during a military drill at an unknown location in Ukraine on Saturday - as tensions with Russia reach boiling point

Ukrainian soldier rests a rocket launcher on his shoulder during a military drill at an unknown location in Ukraine on Saturday - as tensions with Russia reach boiling point

A tank travels through mud during a Ukrainian military drill on Saturday as the country braces for a potential Russian invasion

A tank travels through mud during a Ukrainian military drill on Saturday as the country braces for a potential Russian invasion 

Reservists take part in a tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv on Saturday

Reservists take part in a tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv on SaturdayReservists take part in a tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv on Saturday

Reservists take part in a tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv on Saturday

Residents of the Lugansk People's Republic get on a bus at the Lugansk bus terminal before evacuation to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region late on Friday night

Residents of the Lugansk People's Republic get on a bus at the Lugansk bus terminal before evacuation to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region late on Friday night Ukrainian troops patrol at the frontline outside the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19, 2022

Ukrainian troops patrol at the frontline outside the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19, 2022

A Ukrainian serviceman speaks to his comrade walking along a trench on a position at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Zolote

A Ukrainian serviceman speaks to his comrade walking along a trench on a position at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Zolote

Ukrainian troops patrol the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19 - after two soldiers were reportedly killed Saturday by Russian-backed separatists

Ukrainian troops patrol the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19 - after two soldiers were reportedly killed Saturday by Russian-backed separatists

A Ukrainian serviceman walks in a yard of a destroyed house on a position at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Zolote

A Ukrainian serviceman walks in a yard of a destroyed house on a position at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Zolote

Reservists take part in tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv

Reservists take part in tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv

A man is seen lying down holding a gun as reservists take part in tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv

A man is seen lying down holding a gun as reservists take part in tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv

Ukraine is not a member of NATO, and the alliance does not have any forces there, but since the late 1990s it has maintained two offices in Kyiv - a NATO Liaison Office and a NATO Information and Documentation Centre.

The liaison office's job is keep up dialogue between NATO and Ukraine's government while encouraging a democratic transformation of Ukraine's defence and security sector.

According to NATO's website, it consisted of a civilian head leading a mixed team of NATO military and civilian personnel. The web page, last updated in 2016, said there were a total of 16 staff. 

The NATO Information and Documentation Centre's number of personnel was not disclosed. Its job was to inform the Ukrainian public about NATO and support Ukrainian institutions in their communications.

Stoltenberg has previously said that the alliance will not deploy any forces into Ukraine to defend it from any Russian aggression.

But NATO members have sent forces to neighbouring countries which are alliance members, and Stoltenberg has said NATO member countries will vigorously react to any Russian action in those territories, under its collective defence pact. 

It comes as the Russians are continuing their 'false flag' operations in Eastern Ukraine, seemingly designed to provoke conflict. 

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees are starting to stream into Russia today after Vladimir Putin's allies ordered a mass evacuation of two separatist republics as part of a suspected 'false flag' operation to provide the pretext for an invasion.

Up to 700,000 civilians are being evacuated from the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk after rebel leaders yesterday claimed Ukraine was about to attack the areas.

Hours later, a car bomb rocked Donetsk in an alleged 'assassination attempt' of a top Putin-allied official, which Western intelligence agencies believe was faked as part of the 'false flag' deception.

Evacuees from the Donetsk People's Republic arrive Saturday at a refugee camp organised at the Kotlostroitel children's health centre in the village of Krasny Desant, Neklinovsky, Russia

Evacuees from the Donetsk People's Republic arrive Saturday at a refugee camp organised at the Kotlostroitel children's health centre in the village of Krasny Desant, Neklinovsky, Russia

Photos released Saturday show Ukrainian paratroopers taking part in exercises in an undisclosed location in Ukraine

Photos released Saturday show Ukrainian paratroopers taking part in exercises in an undisclosed location in Ukraine 

Ukrainian troops patrol at the frontline outside the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19, 2022

Ukrainian troops patrol at the frontline outside the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19, 2022

Ukrainian Soldiers in camouflaged gear huddle in front of an armoured vehicle during a military drill in Ukraine

Ukrainian Soldiers in camouflaged gear huddle in front of an armoured vehicle during a military drill in UkraineA militant of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) reads out names of men registered at a military mobilisation point in a school in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday

A militant of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) reads out names of men registered at a military mobilisation point in a school in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday

Reservists queue at a mobilisation centre for citizens of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine on Saturday

Reservists queue at a mobilisation centre for citizens of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine on Saturday 

Civilians take part in a military training course conducted by a Christian Territorial Defence Unit on February 19, 2022 in Kiev, Ukraine

Civilians take part in a military training course conducted by a Christian Territorial Defence Unit on February 19, 2022 in Kiev, Ukraine

Using wooden guns modelled on Kalashnikovs, residents in Kiev receive military training in the event of Russian invasion

Using wooden guns modelled on Kalashnikovs, residents in Kiev receive military training in the event of Russian invasionRussia's Acting Emergencies Minister Alexander Chupriyan (right) visits a tent camp set up by the Russian Emergencies Ministry at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint for evacuees from the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine

Russia's Acting Emergencies Minister Alexander Chupriyan (right) visits a tent camp set up by the Russian Emergencies Ministry at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint for evacuees from the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine 

A woman evacuated from the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine kisses a child in a tent camp set up by the Russian Emergencies Ministry at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint

A woman evacuated from the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine kisses a child in a tent camp set up by the Russian Emergencies Ministry at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint

Buses carrying evacuees from Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, arrive at a refugee camp organised at the Kotlostroitel children's health centre in the village of Krasny Desant, Neklinovsky District, Russia

Buses carrying evacuees from Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, arrive at a refugee camp organised at the Kotlostroitel children's health centre in the village of Krasny Desant, Neklinovsky District, Russia

Russian Emergencies Ministry employees set up a tent camp for people evacuated from Donetsk at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint

Russian Emergencies Ministry employees set up a tent camp for people evacuated from Donetsk at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint

Russian Emergencies Ministry employees transport a bunk bed as they set up a tent camp for people evacuated from the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpoint

Russian Emergencies Ministry employees transport a bunk bed as they set up a tent camp for people evacuated from the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, at the Matveyev Kurgan border checkpointCivilians of all ages receive military training at an old industrial plant in the Desnianskyi district, outside Kiev, on Saturday

Civilians of all ages receive military training at an old industrial plant in the Desnianskyi district, outside Kiev, on Saturday

A Ukrainian soldier takes aim while training residents in Kiev in the event of a Russian invasion

A Ukrainian soldier takes aim while training residents in Kiev in the event of a Russian invasion

Ukrainian soldiers in camouflaged gear take a break while training civilians in how to defend against a Russian invasion, near Kiev on Saturday

Ukrainian soldiers in camouflaged gear take a break while training civilians in how to defend against a Russian invasion, near Kiev on Saturday 

A Ukrainian soldier peers through binoculars while helping to train civilians in Desnianskyi, just outside Kiev on Saturday

A Ukrainian soldier peers through binoculars while helping to train civilians in Desnianskyi, just outside Kiev on Saturday

Ukrainian soldiers don balaclavas while training citizens in a district just outside Kiev on Saturday

Ukrainian soldiers don balaclavas while training citizens in a district just outside Kiev on Saturday

Civilians receive training from the Ukrainian military at an old industrial plant in the Desnianskyi district outside Kiev on Saturday

Civilians receive training from the Ukrainian military at an old industrial plant in the Desnianskyi district outside Kiev on Saturday 

A rebel soldier from the self-declared Donetsk Peoples Republic watches on as residents are evacuated and shipped off to Russia on Saturday

A rebel soldier from the self-declared Donetsk Peoples Republic watches on as residents are evacuated and shipped off to Russia on Saturday 

A Russia-bound train with citizens of the Lugansk People's Republic is seen before its departure from a station in Lugansk, east Ukraine. The train is the first to depart for Russia from the Lugansk People's Republic since 2014

A Russia-bound train with citizens of the Lugansk People's Republic is seen before its departure from a station in Lugansk, east Ukraine. The train is the first to depart for Russia from the Lugansk People's Republic since 2014

A woman waves from a train carriage to be evacuated to Russia, at the railway station in Debaltseve, the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine

A woman waves from a train carriage to be evacuated to Russia, at the railway station in Debaltseve, the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine

Residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wait for a train at the Donetsk-2 railway station as they evacuate to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region on Saturday

Residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wait for a train at the Donetsk-2 railway station as they evacuate to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region on Saturday

A man helps a small child put on a glove as they wait for a train at the Donetsk-2 railway station as they evacuate to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region on Saturday

A man helps a small child put on a glove as they wait for a train at the Donetsk-2 railway station as they evacuate to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region on SaturdayUkraine's president has called on the West to stop their 'appeasement' of Russia and warned sanctions will not work on Moscow once the bombing starts

Ukraine's president has called on the West to stop their 'appeasement' of Russia and warned sanctions will not work on Moscow once the bombing starts

Local residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wait in a bus to enter Russia at the customs post 'Matveev Kurgan' in Rostov region

Local residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wait in a bus to enter Russia at the customs post 'Matveev Kurgan' in Rostov region

The Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces, the military reserve of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, take part in a military drill outside Kyiv

The Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces, the military reserve of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, take part in a military drill outside Kyiv

What happened at the 1938 Munich conference?

The Munich Agreement was signed by Neville Chamberlain, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler and Edouard Daladier in 1938.

It was designed to stop Germany invading Czechoslovakia. 

The agreement by the leaders agreed the annexation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland, occupied mainly by German speaking people. 

Upon his return home, Chamberlain declared the agreement had secured 'peace in our time'. 

However a year later Hitler invaded Poland, sparking the beginning of the Second World War.

Zelensky also said he wants a 'clear' timeframe for when Ukraine can join the NATO alliance.

'What can we do? We can continue forcefully supporting Ukraine and its defences. Present... clear, feasible timeframes for membership of the Alliance,' he said.

The president also called for a meeting with Putin in order to avoid any conflict.

He said: 'I do not know what the Russian president wants. For this reason, I propose that we meet.' 

Zelensky was warned not to travel to Munich today through fear that Russia may launch an attack in his absence. 

Putin is putting on a show of military strength with new nuclear drills as he sends a MIG armed with a hypersonic missile over the Mediterranean.

The Russian leader is personally overseeing the nuclear exercises involving 'strategic forces' which will include practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko is joining Putin in the situation room in the Kremlin to watch over the strategic drills.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today's drills 'should not cause anyone concern' and said Russia had informed the proper channels.

Russia holds huge strategic drills every year but today's manoeuvres include the Black Sea Fleet, based on the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Tanks move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Tanks move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Smoke and flame rise over a field during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Smoke and flame rise over a field during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko oversee joint military drills from the situation room in the Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko oversee joint military drills from the situation room in the Kremlin

A handout still image taken from handout video made available by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows launch of a cruise missile of the operational-tactical missile system 'Iskander' from at the Kapustin Yar training ground, Russia, 19 February 2022

A handout still image taken from handout video made available by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows launch of a cruise missile of the operational-tactical missile system 'Iskander' from at the Kapustin Yar training ground, Russia, 19 February 2022

Women take part in a military exercise for civilians conducted by veterans of the Ukrainian National Guard Azov battalion in Kharkiv, Ukraine on February 19, 2022

Women take part in a military exercise for civilians conducted by veterans of the Ukrainian National Guard Azov battalion in Kharkiv, Ukraine on February 19, 2022

Later two explosions at a 'gas pipeline' rocked the separatist city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine in another suspected false flag attack. 

Elsewhere, the Russian leader is personally overseeing nuclear exercises involving 'strategic forces' which will include practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. 

The Kremlin nuclear drills also involved Mig fighter bombers armed with hypersonic missiles patrolling over the Mediterranean from their bases in Syria. 

Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko is joining Putin in the situation room in the Kremlin to watch over the strategic drills.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today's drills 'should not cause anyone concern' and said Russia had informed the proper channels.

Russia holds huge strategic drills every year but today's manoeuvres include the Black Sea Fleet, based on the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Meanwhile, top Ukrainian military officials came under a shelling attack during a tour of the front of the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine and were forced to flee to a bomb shelter before leaving the area.A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during Russian training drills as part of the strategic exercises today

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during Russian training drills as part of the strategic exercises today

A Ukrainian serviceman digs a trench on a positions at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Zolote

A Ukrainian serviceman digs a trench on a positions at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Zolote

Tanks move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Tanks move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Smoke and flame rise over a field during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Smoke and flame rise over a field during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

A handout still image taken from handout video made available by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows launch of a cruise missile of the operational-tactical missile system 'Iskander' from at the Kapustin Yar training ground, Russia, 19 February 2022

A handout still image taken from handout video made available by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows launch of a cruise missile of the operational-tactical missile system 'Iskander' from at the Kapustin Yar training ground, Russia, 19 February 2022

Two Tu-22M3 bombers escorted by Su-35 fighters of the Russian air force fly during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills

Two Tu-22M3 bombers escorted by Su-35 fighters of the Russian air force fly during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills

A Russian nuclear submarine sails in an unknown location during exercises by nuclear forces involving the launch of ballistic missiles, in this still image taken from video released February 19, 2022

A Russian nuclear submarine sails in an unknown location during exercises by nuclear forces involving the launch of ballistic missiles, in this still image taken from video released February 19, 2022

Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov fires the Tsirkon hypersonic missile during the exercises by nuclear forces in an unknown location

Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov fires the Tsirkon hypersonic missile during the exercises by nuclear forces in an unknown location

A Russian Tu-95MS air-launched cruise missile is tested as part of a planned exercise of strategic deterrence forces

A Russian Tu-95MS air-launched cruise missile is tested as part of a planned exercise of strategic deterrence forces

Russian and Belarusian multi-role combat helicopters Mi-35M attend the joint operational exercise of the armed forces

Russian and Belarusian multi-role combat helicopters Mi-35M attend the joint operational exercise of the armed forces

A resident learns how to point and shoot with a wooden stick as she takes part in a military exercise for civilians conducted by Christian Territorial Defence in Ukraine

A resident learns how to point and shoot with a wooden stick as she takes part in a military exercise for civilians conducted by Christian Territorial Defence in Ukraine

Russian and Belarusian multi-role combat helicopters Mi-35M attend the joint operational exercise of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia

Russian and Belarusian multi-role combat helicopters Mi-35M attend the joint operational exercise of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia

Military helicopters fly over tanks and armored vehicles moving during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Military helicopters fly over tanks and armored vehicles moving during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

False flag suspicions were also fueled by time stamps on the videos announcing the evacuations, that show they were taped by rebel leaders two days before being released

False flag suspicions were also fueled by time stamps on the videos announcing the evacuations, that show they were taped by rebel leaders two days before being released


A Russian nuclear submarine sails in an unknown location during exercises by nuclear forces involving the launch of ballistic missiles, in this still image taken from video released February 19, 2022

A Russian nuclear submarine sails in an unknown location during exercises by nuclear forces involving the launch of ballistic missiles, in this still image taken from video released February 19, 2022

Military helicopters fly over tanks and armored vehicles moving during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Military helicopters fly over tanks and armored vehicles moving during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

Russian and Belarusian servicemen conduct joint drills at a firing range in the Brest region of Belarus

Russian and Belarusian servicemen conduct joint drills at a firing range in the Brest region of Belarus

Tank army units loaded onto a troop train return from recent routine drills to permanent deployment sites

Tank army units loaded onto a troop train return from recent routine drills to permanent deployment sites

Local residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wait in a bus to enter Russia at the customs post 'Matveev Kurgan' in Rostov region

Local residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wait in a bus to enter Russia at the customs post 'Matveev Kurgan' in Rostov region

The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin announced a general mobilisation

The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin announced a general mobilisation

Russia has also sent a MIG-31K and a Tu-22M3 bomber over the Mediterranean in another show of force amid the rising tensions. 

The warplane is deployed with the new ultra high speed Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.

The 24-foot-long, one-ton Kinzhal - or Dagger - can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, and Russia boasts it has no match among Western defences.

The hypersonic Kinzhal has a range of 1,250 miles and could pummel Ukrainian troops and defences without flying close to the country. 

Russia is believed to have around 20 Kinzhal-compatible MiG-31Ks in total.Children are evacuated from Luhansk youth centre as tension mounts

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