Western sanctions on Russia may have to deal with unconventional invasion - official

A service member of the Ukrainian Naval Infantry Corps (Marine Corps) drives a tank during drills at a training ground in an unknown location in Ukraine, in this handout picture released February 18, 2022. Press Service of the Ukrainian Naval Forces/Handout via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Russia is ready to invade Ukraine but the Kremlin could use an unconventional attack on its former Soviet neighbour which might require the West to make a swift judgement call on the imposition of Russian sanctions, a senior Western official said.

Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine said on Friday they planned to evacuate their breakaway region's residents to Russia, a stunning turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow could use to justify an invasion of Ukraine.