State Department Asks Americans to Leave Russia Immediately 'Due to Unforeseen Consequences of Ukraine Invasion'

US Embassy in Russia issued a safety alert for US citizens in Russia. Americans living or traveling in Russia must leave the country immediately due to the risk of wrongful detentions and mobilization.

Photo: IStock

“Do not enter Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of an unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the possibility of persecution and detention of US citizens,” the embassy said.

The ability of the US government to provide routine or emergency services to US citizens in Russia is severely limited, especially in areas far from the US Embassy in Moscow. Difficulties arose due to Russian government restrictions on the travel of embassy staff and staff, as well as the ongoing suspension of consular services operations.

In September, the Russian government mobilized citizens into the armed forces in support of the war in Ukraine. Russia can deny dual US citizenship, deny Americans access to US consular assistance, prevent them from leaving Russia, and conscript US citizens into military service.

On the subject: Thousands of pregnant Russians fly to Argentina: why they choose this country for maternity tourism

US citizens should be aware that US credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and the ability to transfer funds electronically from the US is extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages in Russia.

There are also problems with air traffic. Commercial flight options are extremely limited and often unavailable at short notice. If you want to leave Russia, the embassy recommends that you make arrangements on your own as soon as possible. The US Embassy has severe limitations in its ability to help US citizens leave the country. Click herefor information for US citizens wishing to leave Russia.

US embassy staff are generally not allowed to fly with Russian carriers due to security concerns. On April 21, 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Russia's flight safety rating from category 1 to category 2 due to the failure of the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency to comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. For more information, you can check out FAA Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices.

The Embassy warns that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not always protected in Russia. US citizens should avoid any political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested US citizens participating in the demonstrations.

“U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government officials and members of the military, as well as private businesses visiting or residing in Russia, have been subjected to groundless interrogations and threats by Russian officials. Americans may become victims of harassment, abuse and extortion,” the embassy said.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

Russian intelligence services may fail to notify the US Embassy of the detention of a US citizen and unreasonably refuse to provide consular assistance. The Russian intelligence services are stepping up the arbitrary application of local laws against foreign and international organizations they consider "undesirable."

The Embassy warns that Russian intelligence agencies have arrested US citizens on trumped-up charges, identified US citizens in Russia for detention and prosecution, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and sentenced them in secret trials or without providing credible evidence. In addition, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against US religious figures and have filed dubious criminal charges against US citizens engaged in religious activities. Americans should avoid traveling to Russia to work or volunteer for non-governmental or religious organizations.

There have been numerous security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in the Russian regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. And this means that the martial law regime allows Russia to quickly impose restrictive measures, such as curfews, confiscation of private property, restrictions on entry and exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, restriction of mass gatherings. The US Embassy asks Americans to avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, interrogate, and arrest individuals suspected of activities contrary to Russian interests, including engaging with foreign and international organizations, discrediting the Russian state or military, and protecting LGBTQI+ rights.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, as well as individuals inspired by extremist ideology, continue to plan possible attacks in Russia, the embassy says. Terrorists can attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist sites, transportation hubs and systems. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus) is prohibited for US government employees and strongly discouraged for US citizens.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New Y.

The U.S. Embassy in Kiev continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea, as well as in four other partially Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia—although the ongoing conflict severely limits the embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Additional information can be read here.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Newspaper English: Words That Help Understand American News

How to remove information about you from the Internet, and why to do it

Singer Zemfira was added to the list of 'foreign agents' in Russia: how it works and what it threatens

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.