On Monday, the Biden administration urged American citizens to immediately leave Russia over “unpredictable consequences,” including wrongful detentions, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The State Department’s travel advisory comes shortly before the one year anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, and the possibility of terrorism,” the advisory said. “U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions.”
“The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates,” the advisory added.
Russia has wrongfully detained many American citizens, including WNBA player Brittney Griner who was arrested just days before the invasion began for drug smuggling charges. The Biden administration obtained Griner’s release in December 2022 in exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.