The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense located in Arlington VA.  

By Gary   Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC   TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –  PENTAGON  –   The Pentagon is placing some 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for possible deployment to Europe as tensions rise over a potential Russian military move on Ukraine. The military action was made at the direction of President Joe Biden.  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had recommended to Biden that up to 8,500 troops be ordered to prepare for potential deployment. 

“The United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us, our allies, or partners.”

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby 

Photo by Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times)  Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington D.C

State Department Orders  Ukraine Embassy Staff To Depart 

The U.S. Department of State Monday authorized the voluntary departure (“authorized departure”) of U.S. government employees and ordered the departure of family members (“ordered departure”) of U.S. government employees at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, effective immediately. 

The State Department has elevated its previous Travel Advisory for Ukraine to Level Four – Do Not Travel due to the increased threats of significant Russian military action against Ukraine.