The United States urged American citizens to leave Russia immediately to avoid the risks of wrongful detention amid escalating tension between the country and Russia.
On Monday, the US issued a top-level advisory urging Americans to leave Russia immediately and cease travel to the country, citing risks of wrongful detention and harassment for Americans specifically.
The advisory came as Russia’s war against neighboring Ukraine continues and after the US vocally supported the latter by sending military aid amid its battle against the former.
In the alert, the US said, “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.”
“U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions,” the alert added.
State Department travel advisory: “U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately”https://t.co/zhQH2SRjK6 pic.twitter.com/Ubdj0hSS2r— Matthew Hay Brown (@matthewhaybrown) February 13, 2023
The recent alert was marked as level 4, the highest level among all alerts issued by the State Department, ranging from exercising precaution to ceasing all travel.
The alert also comes as concerns that Moscow is gathering its troops together in preparation for an offensive that could coincide with the one-year mark, prompting the United States to urge its citizens to leave the country “just days after the invasion and again with a security warning in September, as Moscow ordered a call-up of reservist forces to renew its advances against Ukraine,” The Hill reported.
On Monday, Reuters released an exclusive report where it was revealed that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the U.S. warning, saying it’s “not a new thing.”
“The word of caution about wrongful detentions follows the high-profile prisoner swap of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, who had been sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony on drug possession charges. Griner’s trial and sentencing were decried by the U.S. and elevated the plight of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who is being held by Moscow on suspicion of spying,” The Hill added.
