PM: Putin's decision to recognise separatist Ukraine states 'a very ill omen'
Boris Johnson was considering whether the actions could trigger the imposition of fresh sanctions on Russia.
Boris Johnson was considering whether the actions could trigger the imposition of fresh sanctions on Russia.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has warned the price of invasion for Russia must be set "intolerably high".
Prime Minister's spokesperson said Russia "intends to launch an invasion and President Putin's plan has, in effect, already begun".
The exercises were initially set to finish on Sunday.
Boris Johnson admitted hard-hitting financial sanctions may not be enough to prevent invasion.
It comes as Western officials have warned that Moscow could invade Ukraine at any time.
It happened in war-torn eastern Ukraine, where the West fears a spike of violence might be used as a pretext for a Russian invasion.
Boris Johnson said the "disaster" of a war in eastern Europe could still be avoided by diplomatic means.
1 Royal Welsh have been training in Sennelager, Germany, before joining the Royal Tank Regiment in Estonia amid tensions involving Russia.
During the Prime Minister's visit to RAF Waddington, he said an invasion of Ukraine would result in a "bloody and protracted conflict".
The UK's military intelligence chief said there have been sightings of extra armoured vehicles, helicopters and a field hospital.
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said "it's an expectation" UK troops will return once "conditions are met".
Personnel and hardware have been deployed in response to tensions involving Russia.
Jens Stoltenberg said NATO had seen no evidence of a Russian withdrawal and warned the country faces a "high price" if it invades.
Russia says some of its troops stationed near Ukraine are returning to their bases and has repeatedly denied it is planning to invade.
Russia has amassed an estimated 130,000 troops along its border with Ukraine, but has repeatedly denied it is planning to invade.