Americans Urged to Leave Russia

The U.S. Embassy in Russia issued a plea to its citizens on Wednesday, Sep. 28 to refrain from traveling to Russia, and those, who are already in the country, to leave immediately. 

In a security alert published on the website of the American Embassy in Russia, the U.S. mission said Moscow may call up people who have dual Russian-U.S. citizenship for military service.

“Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service,” the alert said.

U.S. officials also note that there are only a limited number of flights from Russia to other countries, and tickets for them on the following dates may not be available, but land borders are “still open.”

“If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible,” the U.S mission said, warning that the U.S. Embassy’s ability to help with leaving is limited.

It also strongly recommends that U.S. citizens refrain from traveling to Russia and asks those currently in the Russian Federation to avoid “any political or social protests.”

The foreign ministries of Poland and Bulgaria have also issued calls for their citizens to leave the territory of the Russian Federation. The statements issued by them were made public almost simultaneously.

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“Citizens of the Polish Republic who are on the territory of the Russian Federation are advised to leave its territory by commercial and private means. The Polish Foreign Ministry does not recommend citizens of the republic to travel to Russia,” the message states.

The Polish Foreign Ministry also recalled that there is currently no direct communication with the Russian Federation, and the reduction in the number of diplomats will make it challenging to assist Polish citizens.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry issued a similar call:

“The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry calls to refrain from traveling to the Russian Federation due to the complicated situation. Bulgarian citizens in Russia are advised to consider the possibility of leaving the country as soon as possible, using the currently available means of transport for this purpose,” it said.