US moves some forces out of Ukraine and orders evacuation of most embassy staff as fears of a Russian invasion grow...

 via CNN

A travel advisory issued by the State Department on Saturday said it had "ordered the departure of most US direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action."

It also stated that consular services would be suspended but stressed a small diplomatic presence would be maintained in the city of Lviv in the west of the country, about 50 miles from the Polish border, to handle emergencies.

Several countries are also downgrading their diplomatic presence and urging their citizens to leave Ukraine.

A senior State Department official said during a call with reporters Saturday morning that it's past time for US citizens to leave Ukraine because there are limits to what the US can do to assist them in a war zone, which is "inherently volatile" and "extremely dangerous."

"Once a country or region becomes an active conflict zone we have very little ability to help our fellow citizens," the official said.

A few retired generals are saying that this is a mistake.  That the State Dept should be reinforcing the embassy with additional personnel.

I kinda get it.

Russia won't PURPOSELY target anyone's embassy.

But shit happens so they could get hit.

Having said that the White House, Pentagon, our allies and other places are all signalling that this thing is about to kick off.

I've noticed my Russian audience has become a bit more quiet about "this is just theater" thing they were once so sure about.

We are in the land of mirrors.

No one knows what will happen next.  Pass the popcorn!