Russian citizens have reacted with fear over reports Moscow has ordered officials to fly home all relatives living abroad – with some residents claiming it is ‘another step towards war’.

The Kremlin is said to have told high ranking officials to bring their loved ones back to the ‘Motherland’ immediately – with any who disobey being overlooked for promotion.

It comes against a backdrop of rapidly deteriorating relations with the West over Russia’s role in the Syria conflict and just days after Putin moved nuclear-ready missiles closer to the border with Poland.

Putin also cancelled a planned visit to France amid a furious row over Moscow’s role in the Syrian conflict and just days after it emerged the Kremlin had moved nuclear-capable missiles near to the Polish border.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned just days ago that the world is at a ‘dangerous point’ due to rising tensions between Russia and the US.

Russian political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky warned yesterday: ‘This is all part of the package of measures to prepare elites to some “big war”.’

And today, Russians reacted with a mixture of fury and gallows humour over the Kremlin’s new orders amid rising world tension and the possibility of global war.

Political analyst Valery Solovei said plans were afoot for ‘serious limitations’ on people wishing to leave Russia.

While he doubted a return to the Soviet system of ‘exit visas’ for its citizens, he said: ‘Officials of all levels and their relatives will be recommended not to leave the country.