A 14-YEAR-OLD girl was among many Ukrainians to flee their country amid the threat of war with Russia.

Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognising them as independent states.

After touching down at Gatwick Airport on a flight from Kyiv, Oli Gradobliantska revealed the fear among fellow Ukrainians.

“I think everyone is worried about it,” the 14-year-old said.

Oli’s aunt Vlada Scott, who lives in Bognor, was at the airport to welcome her niece.

“Nobody wants war. Nobody wants to be involved in this,” she said.

“Nobody wants a repeat of Afghanistan or Syria.

“One day I want to go back but I want to go back to Ukraine. I do not want to go back to Russia.”

The Argus: Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognising them as independent states Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognising them as independent states

Manos Olymbios, who was at the airport waiting for his wife Daria, had just returned from a family visit to Ukraine.

He said: “It is not safe now with Putin. He is very aggressive, and he has already recognised two regions. He has already done this sort this sort of thing before.”

Mr Olymbios said he was “very glad” his family were back in England as “what happened yesterday was very worrying.”

The arrivals coincided with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of the first sanctions related to the situation in Ukraine.

They are targeting key Russian banks and allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia said the troops have not yet been deployed but will be “peacekeeping” in the regions, which it has backed since 2014.