KLM suspends flights to Ukraine amid rumors of possible invasion

KLM reported on Saturday that it was suspending flights to Kiev until further notice. This news comes amid rising tensions and rumors of Russia’s imminent start of offensive operations in Ukraine.

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Next flight to the capital, Kiev, is scheduled for tonight, but will not be operated,» the leading Dutch airline said in a statement. The decision is due to «changes to travel advisories and a thorough security analysis.»

The Netherlands joined several European nations, including Belgium, Germany, and Italy, in asking their citizens to leave Ukraine and advising them not to travel to the country.

Now, the government of the Netherlands joined several European nations in asking their citizens to leave Ukraine. Since a crisis sparked by the concentration of tens of thousands of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border entered a new phase and an invasion seems inevitable.

The U.S. embassy in Kiev on Saturday ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel. On Friday, large-scale joint military exercises were held between Russia and Belarus, which lies just north of Kiev and also borders the European Union.

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The airline’s decision is the first by an operator over the disputed territory, and other carriers are also expected to suspend flights.

See also: Air France/KLM could interrupt operations in Peru

News in Development.