US State Department orders diplomats' families to leave Belarus

The State Department ordered the family members of US government staff in Belarus to evacuate on Monday, citing the"unusual and concerning" situation along Belarus’ border with Ukraine."

Due to an increase in unusual and concerning military activity near the border with Ukraine, US citizens located in or considering travel to Belarus should be aware that the situation is unpredictable and there is heightened tension in the region, the State Department said in a travel advisory.

"The US government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to US citizens in Belarus is already severely limited due to Belarusian government limitations on US Embassy staffing," the statement reads.