In the News – The State Department is urging any Americans who are in Russia to leave immediately, citing an elevated risk of arbitrary arrest by Russian security officials amid a more general warning of “unpredictable consequences” stemming from the Ukraine war and the “possibility of terrorism.”
“U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions,” reads the latest advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, which is overseen by the State Department.
The travel advisory, issued on Feb. 12, noted a series of security risks facing U.S. citizens in Russia, including arbitrary enforcement of local law and the possibility that they could be forced to fight in the war.
“Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them,” the warning states.
Americans in Russia face “the potential for harassment” as well as the threat of being singled out for arrest, the embassy warned.
The State Department said that recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain and question people suspected of acting against Moscow’s interest, noting that U.S. citizens in Russia “have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.”
Compounding the security risk to American citizens in Russia is the fact that the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services in the country has been “severely limited” due to restrictions on travel for embassy staff and the suspension of services at U.S. consulates.
“Do not travel to Russia,” the State Department cautioned.
‘Terrorists May Attack’
Source: The Truthseeker/Epoch Times – US Embassy Advises Americans in Russia to ‘Depart Immediately’