United States citizens should refrain from traveling to Russia due to the “unforeseeable consequences” of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and those in the country should urgently leave. This is stated in the warning published on the website of the US Embassy in Moscow.
The message on the website of the diplomatic mission notes that the Russian authorities may refuse recognition of dual citizenship to Americans in Russia, deprive them of access to consular assistance, subject them to mobilization and conscription for military service, and also prevent them from leaving the country.
“If you want to leave Russia, you should take action on your own as soon as possible. The US Embassy has severe limitations in its ability to help US citizens leave the country, and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited,” the statement said.
In addition, the US embassy advised its citizens in Russia to exercise “increased caution due to the risk of unlawful detentions”, “avoid any political or social protests” and not photograph intelligence officers at such actions.
After the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, the American embassy in Moscow repeatedly appealed to its citizens to leave Russia. The last time such an appeal was published at the end of September, after the “partial” mobilization announced in the country.