Russia Journey Advisory | Journey.State.gov

U.S. residents in Russia ought to go away instantly
The U.S. authorities has restricted skill to assist U.S. residents in Russia, particularly exterior of Moscow. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has lowered its employees. The Russian authorities has additionally restricted journey for embassy personnel. All U.S. consulates in Russia have suspended operations, together with consular providers. 

Do not journey to Russia for any purpose
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has restricted skill to help within the case of a detention of a U.S. citizen. There is not any assure that the Russian authorities will grant the U.S. Embassy consular entry to detained U.S. residents. U.S. residents could serve their complete jail sentence with out  launch. The danger of wrongful detention of U.S. residents stays excessive. Even if a case is set wrongful, there isn’t a assure of launch.

Russian officers typically query and threaten U.S. residents with out purpose. Russian safety providers have arrested U.S. residents on false prices. They have denied them truthful remedy and convicted them with out credible proof. Russian authorities have opened questionable investigations towards U.S. residents for his or her spiritual actions.

There have been drone assaults and explosions close to the border with Ukraine, and in Moscow, Kazan, St. Petersburg, and different massive cities. In 2024, ISIS Khorasan claimed accountability for the assault at Crocus Music Hall in Moscow. This assault killed 130 folks. They additionally focused locations of worship in Dagestan. In an emergency, it is best to observe directions from native authorities and search shelter.

Dual citizenship
Russia will not acknowledge your U.S. citizenship in case you are a twin U.S.-Russian citizen or have a declare to Russian citizenship.

• Russia has blocked U.S. consular officers from visiting detained twin U.S.-Russian residents.
• The Russian authorities has pressured twin residents to affix the navy. They even have stopped them from leaving the nation.
• In 2022, Russia began drafting residents for the conflict in Ukraine. The navy draft is ongoing.
• Failure to stick to Russian legal guidelines and rules on twin citizenship can lead to arrest.

Demonstrations
In Russia, peaceable meeting and freedom of speech aren’t protected rights. U.S. residents ought to keep away from protests and taking images of safety employees at these occasions. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. residents who’ve joined protests. Russians and U.S. residents have been detained for posts on social media.

Electronic units
Reconsider bringing digital units into Russia. U.S. residents ought to assume all digital communications and units in Russia are monitored by Russian safety providers. Russian safety providers have arrested U.S. residents and different international nationals primarily based on info discovered on digital units. This contains info that was created, transmitted, or saved whereas in a foreign country.

Debit and bank cards
U.S. credit score and debit playing cards now not work in Russia. Due to sanctions, sending digital cash transfers from the United States to Russia is almost unattainable.  The U.S. Embassy can’t help with transferring cash to bypass sanctions. 

Air journey
There are few business air journey choices accessible. It will not be straightforward to guide flights on brief discover. If you want to go away Russia, it is best to make your individual journey plans. The U.S. Embassy can solely supply restricted assist to U.S. residents attempting to depart. Transportation choices might grow to be much more restricted at any time.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded Russia’s air security ranking from Category 1 to Category 2 due to safety concerns. U.S. authorities personnel are usually not allowed to fly on Russian airways as a consequence of security considerations.

Additionally, the FAA banned U.S. flights inside sure areas of Russian airspace, by issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). This is because of dangers to civil aviation working inside or within the neighborhood of those sure areas. For extra info U.S. residents ought to seek the advice of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

Laws and particular circumstances
Russian officers have questioned, threatened, and detained U.S. residents with out purpose. This contains each former and present U.S. authorities and navy personnel, in addition to personal U.S. residents. Russian authorities have a historical past of wrongfully detaining U.S. nationals and utilizing them as bargaining chips.

• U.S. residents could grow to be victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.
• Russian authorities don’t at all times notify the U.S. embassy in regards to the detention of a U.S. citizen. They could delay or deny U.S. consular assist.
• Russian safety providers goal international nationals and worldwide organizations thought of “undesirable.”
• Russian legislation permits authorities to punish foreigners for treason. This contains working for organizations that Russia perceives as performing towards Russian pursuits. Former and present U.S. authorities staff and contractors ought to pay particular consideration to this a part of Russian legislation.

Security
Drone assaults and explosions have taken place close to the border with Ukraine and in Moscow, Kazan, St. Petersburg, and different massive cities. In an emergency, it is best to observe directions from native authorities and search shelter.

Russia’s conflict in Ukraine has destabilized safety in southwestern Russia. In October 2022, the Russian authorities declared martial legislation within the following border areas with Ukraine: Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar.

Under martial legislation, authorities can:

• Set curfews
• Seize property
• Restrict motion
• Detain foreigners
• Forcibly relocate residents
• Limit public gatherings

Russian authorities have questioned, detained, and arrested folks for “acting against Russia’s interests.” Local authorities have focused folks for posting on social media or supporting “anti-Russian” teams. They have punished folks for criticizing the federal government or navy.

Gay and lesbian vacationers
The Russian authorities’s  “propaganda” legislation bans dialogue of homosexual and lesbian matters. The neighborhood has been labeled as “extremist,” and it’s thought of against the law to help the human rights of homosexual and lesbian folks in Russia. Displaying sure symbols, together with the rainbow flag, is against the law.  Foreigners discovered responsible of violating this legislation could also be arrested and detained for as much as 15 days after which deported.

Terrorism
Terrorists proceed to plan and perform assaults in Russia. The March 2024 Crocus City Hall assault in Moscow proved terrorists can strike with out warning.

U.S. authorities staff working in Russia are prohibited from touring to the North Caucasus, together with Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus.

Russian annexation of territories
The worldwide neighborhood doesn’t acknowledge Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya.

Russia staged its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, partially, from occupied Crimea. There is a heavy Russian navy presence in these areas and intense preventing throughout these areas.

Russian authorities have abused foreigners and locals. In specific, they’ve focused individuals who they see as opposing Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine gives consular providers to U.S. residents in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. However, the continuing conflict limits the embassy’s skill to assist U.S. residents in these areas.