James Heappey says Tobias Ellwood 'unwise' to travel to Ukraine

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Passport applications by British nationals in Ukraine are being prioritised and officials are calling people direct if more information is required, to fast-track cases as fears grow that the evacuation window is closing. The moves came as giant Ukrainian flags were unveiled across the country in a show of national unity ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky, in response to fears that Russia might invade yesterday.

Ukrainians of all ages waved their national colours in the streets and from their windows while hundreds unfurled a 650ft flag in the Olympic Stadium in the capital Kyiv.

In a government-controlled sector of the eastern city of Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian troops since 2014, residents stretched another gigantic flag across their street.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted yesterday: “Ukrainians come together in a day of national unity.

“The UK remains unwavering in our support for the hard-won peace, freedom and democratic progress that has been made since Ukraine’s independence.”

Further details of the UK immigration easing will see rules requiring someone to earn £20,480 removed.

Up to 5,000 British nationals are currently in Ukraine. Sources said the Home Office is assessing around 2,000 visa applications, with another 350 being filed every day.

Officials have conceded the Russian threat has continued to intensify since the Foreign Office urged all British nationals to get out.

Most of the British nationals in Ukraine are there either for business or because they are married to Ukrainians. It is not a big tourism destination.

But officials fear many are leaving it too late to leave and ministers have urged them to evacuate immediately. Flights from Kyiv to London are said to have filled up since Friday’s change in travel advice.

Ryanair, one of the largest foreign airlines serving Ukraine, said it had a duty to fly passengers in and out as long as a Russian invasion did not materialise.

Michael O’Leary, its chief executive, added: “People need to get home and people want to leave and fly abroad to the EU…airlines have to provide that service.

“It is our duty and obligation… to support the people of Ukraine as long as there is no war or missiles flying there.”

Foreign Office chiefs were last night lighting up their Whitehall HQ in yellow and blue in solidarity with Ukraine on the beleaguered country’s national day.

President Zelensky said Ukrainians were united in a common desire “to live in peace, happily, in a family, children with parents.

“No one can love our home as we can. Only we, together, can protect our home.

“East, West, South and North speak only together, but they speak loud.”

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