THE Ministry of Defence has tonight revealed a chilling map showing how the Russians could invade Ukraine without warning.
Military chiefs have shared a whopping seven key locations Kremlin forces may use to storm the country under ‘phase one’.
Russian-backed separatists today shelled a nursery in Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine[/caption]
The second stage of their plans along the ground has also been highlighted.
According to the British Government, troops could enter the country from Russia, Belarus or Crimea, before travelling to cities Odessa or Vinnytsia.
Officials said tonight: “Russia retains a significant military presence that can conduct an invasion without further warning.”
Their map “demonstrates President Putin’s possible axis of invasion”, the spokesman said.
“He still can choose to prevent conflict and preserve peace,” they added.
Putin has insisted its tank units are withdrawing. However, senior military sources say troops are still advancing.
There have been several sightings of additional armoured vehicles, helicopters and a field hospital moving towards Ukraine’s borders.
The assessment is based on secret intelligence from MI6, the CIA, spy-planes, satellites and secret agents.
MAP OF TERROR
Meanwhile, a fleet of 60 choppers swooped into Crimea this week where 40,000 Russian troops are based.
And another 30,000 Russian troops on exercise in Belarus are at “peak readiness” to invade.
Worryingly, sources say there’s reason to believe the Russians are engaging in a ‘false flag operation’ so there’ll be an excuse for them to go into Ukraine.
Spooks believe Putin may be plotting an atrocity, which will give him a reason to invade.
Russian-backed separatists have already shelled a nursery school in Ukraine, injuring three.
According to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) there were “multiple shelling incidents” on Thursday morning across the frontline in the Donbas region.
The attack on the city of Stanytsia Luhanska blew a hole through the wall of kindergarten number 21.
NURSERY SHELLED
The school day had just begun when a shell landed on the building in Depovska Street. Video showed debris and masonry strewn over a play area.
Meanwhile, smoke was seen billowing from the Russian Embassy in Kyiv.
The building was not under attack – but the scene fired speculation that staff inside were burning sensitive documents.
Boris Johnson says the situation looks “very grim”.
On a visit to an RAF base in Lincolnshire, he said: “Today, as I’m sure you’ve already picked up, a kindergarten was shelled in what we are taking to be – well, we know – was a false flag operation designed to discredit the Ukrainians, designed to create a pretext, a spurious provocation for Russian action.
“We fear very much that that is the kind of thing we will see more of over the next few days.”
The Prime Minister said he was working to “do everything to strengthen the package of sanctions” against Russia should it invade Ukraine and promised “tough” penalties for Russian companies raising money in the UK.
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Mr Johnson also made a personal plea to the war-mongering Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“There is still time to avoid a catastrophe, a catastrophe for Russia, a catastrophe for Ukraine and for the world,” he said, warning of a “bloody and protracted” conflict for both sides if Russia invaded.
Russian troops are now as close as five miles from the Ukraine border in some areas – and half of all battalions are 30 miles or less from the frontier.
The situation is on a knife-edge after three were hurt in artillery fire today[/caption]
Boris Johnson has told Putin there’s still time to step back from the brink[/caption]
Last night, a pro-Ukraine demonstration took place in Whitehall[/caption]