Russia could invade Ukraine ‘on Wednesday’ in ‘our Cuban Missile Crisis moment’

Russian troops could cross the Ukrainian border in a matter of days.

US intelligence forces believe that Russia could invade Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, with one British government minister describing the situation in eastern Europe as "our Cuban Missile Crisis moment." According to German newspaper Der Spiegel, US intelligence services believe Russia is planning to enter Ukraine on Wednesday.

The US Secret Service, CIA and the Pentagon are said to have received intel of an "exceptionally detailed' invasion plan, scheduled for February 16."

There are currently around 130,000 Russian troops gathered on the Ukrainian border. The impending threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine comes as one MP compared the crisis to the height of tensions in the Cold War. Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the Defence Select Committee, said this is "our Cuban Missile Crisis moment." The Conservative MP told Times Radio on Saturday: "An invasion is imminent. Once that happens, because of the grain the comes out of Ukraine for the world, (that will) affect food prices across the world.

"Oil and gas prices will be affected as well, and European security will then be threatened further, so we have to ask ourselves, what should we do instead?

"What are the calculations, and yes, there is this looking Putin in the eye wondering what would happen.

"This is our Cuban Missile Crisis moment."

The Cuban Missile Crisis is widely regarded as the closest the Cold War ever came to escalating into all-out nuclear war. Tensions reached unprecedented levels between the USA and the Soviet Union when the Soviets placed missiles on the island of Cuba, an ally of theirs at the time. In response, the US implemented a naval blockade on the island. After several days of tense negotiations, an agreement was reached between the US and the Soviets and the missiles were removed from Cuba. On Friday, the Foreign Office said that British nationals in Ukraine should leave the country as soon as possible. The government has also confirmed that all British troops will be leaving Ukraine this weekend. Related links:

• All UK troops to withdraw from Ukraine this weekend
• Vladimir Putin warns Europe will be dragged into military conflict if Ukraine joins NATO
• Vladimir Putin pretends to be asleep during Ukraine's opening ceremony welcome