From the US State Department:
Do not travel to Russia due to
the consequences of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military
forces. U.S. citizens may face harassment or detention by Russian security
officials, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited flights into and out of
Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability
to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. The Department has determined that there is
a continued risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian
authorities. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should leave
immediately.
The U.S. government has limited
ability to help U.S. citizens in Russia, especially outside of Moscow. The U.S.
Embassy is operating with reduced staffing, and the Russian government has
restricted travel for embassy personnel. Furthermore, all U.S. consulates in
Russia have suspended operations, including consular services.
There have been reports of drone
attacks and explosions near the border with Ukraine as well as in Moscow,
Kazan, and St. Petersburg. In an emergency, you should follow instructions from
local authorities and seek shelter.
Russia may refuse to recognize
your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual U.S.-Russian citizen or have a claim to
Russian citizenship. Russia has denied consular officers visits to detained
dual U.S.-Russian citizens. The Russian government has forced citizens with
dual nationality to join the Russian military and prevented them from leaving
the country. In 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens for its
invasion of Ukraine. Military conscription continues.
In Russia, the rights to peaceful
assembly and free speech are not always protected. U.S. citizens should avoid
protests and taking photos of security staff at these events. Russian
authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who joined protests. Moreover, there
are many reports of Russians being detained for social media posts.
U.S. citizens should know that
U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia. Due to sanctions, sending
electronic money transfers from the U.S. to Russia is nearly impossible.
Commercial flight options are
minimal and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart
Russia, you should make independent arrangements. The U.S. Embassy has limited
ability to assist U.S. citizens in leaving the country, and transportation
options may suddenly become even more restricted.
U.S. Embassy staff generally are
not allowed to fly on Russian airlines due to safety concerns. Recently, the
FAA downgraded Russia's air safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2.
Additionally, the FAA banned U.S. flights in some Russian areas, including the
Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW), and the
Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV)
Flight Information Regions. Check the FAA's Prohibitions, Restrictions, and
Notices for more information.
Country Summary: Russian officials have interrogated and
threatened U.S. citizens without cause. This includes former and current U.S.
government and military personnel and private U.S. citizens engaged in
business. U.S. citizens may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and
extortion.
Russian authorities may not
notify the U.S. Embassy about the detention of a U.S. citizen and may delay
U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services also target foreign and
international organizations they consider "undesirable."
Russian security services have
arrested U.S. citizens on false charges, denied them fair treatment, and
convicted them without credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities have
opened questionable investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious
activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has
destabilized security in southwestern Russia. In October 2022, the Russian
government declared martial law in the following border areas with Ukraine:
Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar. Under martial law,
authorities can set curfews, seize property, and restrict movement. The Russian
government may detain foreigners, forcibly relocate residents, and limit public
gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.
Russian authorities have
questioned, detained, and arrested people for "acting against Russia's
interests." Local authorities have targeted people for posting on social
media or supporting "anti-Russian" groups and punished individuals
for criticizing the government or military. The Russian government's current
"LGBT propaganda" law bans discussion of LGBTQI+ related topics. In
November 2023, the Supreme Court labeled the so-called "international LGBT
movement" as extremist. This decision effectively made it a crime to
support the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Russia.
Terrorists continue to plan
attacks in Russia. The March 2024 Crocus City Hall incident proved they can
strike suddenly. Terrorists may target tourist areas, transport hubs, and
markets. They may also target government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants,
and places of worship. Parks, events, schools, and airports are also potential
targets. U.S. government employees under
Embassy (Chief of Mission) security responsibility are not permitted to travel
to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus. U.S. citizens should
avoid travel to those areas.
The international community does
not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea and does not acknowledge Russia's
purported annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. Russia
staged its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea and
there is a heavy Russian military presence in these areas. There is intense
fighting across these regions and Russian authorities there have abused both
foreigners and locals. Authorities have specifically targeted individuals who
are seen as challenging Russia's authority.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv
administers consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk,
Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. However, the conflict limits the Embassy's ability
to help U.S. citizens in these areas.
If you decide to travel to
Russia:
Read the information on what the
U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in an emergency overseas.
Consider the risks involved in
having dual U.S.- Russian nationality.
Have a contingency plan in place
that does not rely on U.S. government help. Review the Traveler's Checklist.
Follow news for any important
events and update your plans based on the new information.
Ensure travel documents are valid
and easily accessible.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP). This will allow you to receive Alerts and make it
easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on
Facebook and Twitter.
Review the Country Security
Report for Russia.
Visit the CDC page for the latest
Travel Health Information related to your travel.
^ No one should willingly travel
to Russia anymore. Those that do or are already there can expect to be detained
by Putin’s Nazi Zs and sent either to fight inside Ukraine or to do Forced
Labor at a Penal Colony. ^
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