Russia Begins Evacuating Diplomatic Staff From Ukraine

Asked if the evacuation had begun, the embassy's spokesman Denis Golenko told AFP by phone: "Yes." Moscow's foreign ministry announced Tuesday it would evacuate diplomats from the country soon.

Russia began evacuating diplomatic staff from Ukraine, its embassy in Kyiv told AFP, a day after lawmakers in Moscow granted President Vladimir Putin permission to use force abroad.

Asked if the evacuation had begun, the embassy's spokesman Denis Golenko told AFP by phone: "Yes."

Moscow's foreign ministry announced Tuesday it would evacuate diplomats from the country soon, saying this was in order to "protect their lives".

The Russian flag was lowered over the embassy's building, according to eyewitnesses.