More than 100,000 Russian troops are currently stationed at different points along its border with Ukraine, with the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK stating that Putin is “gradually building up” his forces
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The risk of Russia invading Ukraine has been described as “extremely high” by the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.
More than 100,000 Russian troops are currently stationed at different points along its border with Ukraine as war fears continue to grow.
Vadym Prystaiko has now said he believes President Vladimir Putin is capable of installing a pro-Moscow leader in the country – and warned the leader is “gradually building up” his forces.
He told LBC: “We believe that the risk is extremely high.”
Prystaiko said Russia’s 100,000 troops are currently “not enough”, but noted that the threat is “adding up” with the nation’s helicopters and S-400 systems also being used.
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He continued: “Either [Putin] is still playing this game, threatening us more and more, not just us the European NATO as well, gradually building up forces.
“At the moment it is not enough to topple us, we will fight, but who knows what will come back.”
Today Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab warned Russia will face “serious economic consequences” if they invade and install a “puppet regime” in Ukraine.
Asked if he thought an invasion was likely, he also told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: “I think there is a very significant risk of it.
“The world needs to keep its eye on this and be very clear with President Putin that it would not do this cost-free, that there would be a price.
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“A price in terms of the strenuous defence that we would expect the Ukrainians to put up, but also the economic cost through sanctions, which are of course more effective if the international community speaks as one or at least with a broad consensus.”
It comes after Britain accused Putin of plotting to install a puppet leader in Ukraine on Saturday evening, with the Foreign Office taking the unusual step of naming former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev as a potential Kremlin candidate who would run Ukraine.
Murayev is a pro-Russian politician who opposes Ukraine’s integration with the West.
Moscow has denied the claims, with the Russian Foreign Ministry accusing Britain and NATO of “escalating tensions”.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian adviser to the presidential office, said the allegations should be taken seriously.
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Already UK defence chiefs have been finalising plans to bring up to 1,000 Brits home from Ukraine to safety.
Officials are said to be considering sending troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade to mount an evacuation of UK nationals.
The same unit helped with the rescue mission in Kabul last summer, when the Afghan city was overrun by the Taliban.
Defence sources say troops would fly to Ukraine in RAF transports and help pull out expats.
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