RUSSIA has accused a US submarine of violating its waters - with Putin pushing the West to the brink of World War Three in Ukraine.

       Russia's Ministry of Defence has said a Virginia-class submarine entered its territorial waters around Urup - and ignored demands for it to surface.

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       The incident involved a Virginia Class submarine, like the one pictured 9

       Fears are mounting a Russian invasion could happen as early as Wednesday 9

       Russian soldiers taking part in war games near the Ukraine border Credit: Getty 9

       Kremlin forces firing missiles ahead of a possible invasion Credit: Getty

       According to reports, the submarine left the area after "special measures" were deployed by the Russian navy.

       The ministry said it had summoned the US defence attache in Moscow over the incident.

       Virginia-class submarines are mostly used for anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations.

       The US navy ships are nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines.

       The underwater warships allegedly crossed into waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific - where Russia has been carrying out military preparedness drills.

       The Pacific chain of islands, which were taken over by the Soviet Union at the end of World War Two is also claimed by Japan.

       Russia’s last round of Kuril drills took place in November last year.

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       It comes as America has vowed a "resolute and massive" response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine after reports it could happen on Wednesday.

       The warning from U.S Secretary of State Anthony Blinken come during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, in the wake of fears an invasion is imminent.

       US embassy staff have now been told to evacuate Ukraine as the 6000 Brits living there were also urged to leave immediately amid growing fears a Russian attack would shut down airspace.

       New intelligence now suggests Russia will invade Ukraine this Wednesday, February 16, according to German newspaper Der Spiegel.

       Information received by the Secret Service, CIA and other intelligence services has even gone as far to outline the routes that individual Russian units will take, along with the roles they will play, it reports.

       'RUSSIAN AGGRESSION'

       Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin are set to discuss the crisis today but ahead of that Blinken spoke to Sergei Lavrov.

       "I spoke with Foreign Minister Lavrov today to urge a diplomatic resolution to Russia’s unprovoked military build-up around Ukraine," Blinken tweet afterwards.

       "I reiterated that further Russian aggression would be met with a resolute, massive, and united Transatlantic response."

       But in response Lavrov accused the United States of seeking to provoke a conflict in Ukraine, during a call with his US counterpart Antony Blinken.

       Their talks come after U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington believes Putin could strike any day.

       It was previously widely believed Russia would not attack before the end of the Winter Olympics on February 20 but the latest intelligence reports have cast doubt on that.

       'LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE'

       The imminent threat follows weeks of growing tension as Vladimir Putin’s build-up of troops and tanks continue to threaten Ukraine.

       Sullivan echoed President Biden's call for "all American citizens who remain in Ukraine to depart immediately".

       "We want to be crystal clear on this point. Any American in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours.

       "The risk is now high enough and the threat is now immediate enough that this is what prudence demands.

       "If you stay you are assuming risk, with no guarantee that there will be any other opportunity to leave and there is no prospect of a U.S. military evacuation in the event of a Russian invasion."

       Last night, Brits were warned to leave Ukraine immediately as the imminent threat of war loomed.

       Mr Sullivan said an attack would likely begin with aerial bombing and missile strikes, which would shut down transportation by air, rail, and roads.

       His fears were echoed by MP Tobias Ellwood, chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, who also said war was "inevitable".

       Russia has been deploying military troops to the Ukraine border as Nato begins beefing up its own forces in the area.

       Pentagon said it would send 3,000 combat troops from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Poland to join 1,700 troops assembling there.

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       US military equipment and soldiers inside in a temporary base in Poland Credit: Getty 9

       Satellite images show Russian forces massed near the border with Ukraine Credit: EPA 9

       The Russian and Belarusian armed forces take part in a military drill in Belarus Credit: Getty 9

       Ukrainian tanks are preparing to resist any Russian invasion Credit: AFP 9

       A British family arriving at Gatwick airport after returning from the Ukraine Credit: PA