“US citizens residing in or traveling to Russia they must leave immediately. Be more cautious due to the risk of undue detention”, reads a notice released by the US embassy in Moscow.
In the statement, Americans were advised not to travel to Russia “due to the unpredictable consequences of the large-scale unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces.”
Furthermore, the diplomatic mission warned that, in Russia, it has a “limited capacity” to provide assistance to its citizens in case they need it.
“On October 20, 2022, the Russian government declared martial law in the border regions with Ukraine, which allows for the rapid introduction of restrictive measures”, warned. Therefore, he insisted that “US citizens should avoid traveling to Russia to work or volunteer for non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.”
Answer from Moscow
The Kremlin referred to the embassy’s statement, saying it wasn’t the first time US citizens have been asked to leave Russia.
“It is not the first time they have asked not to visit Russia or to leave Russia. The Department of State (USA). made them repeatedly, they are not new”, reacted the spokesman of the Russian presidency, Dmitri Peskov, in his daily press conference.
it is the second This is the moment in nearly five months that the US embassy has urged its citizens to leave Russia.
On September 28, a week after the partial mobilization ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the US embassy warned that Russia may refuse to recognize US citizenship of dual nationals, prevent their access to consular assistance and call them back.
The dangers
Also, the embassy in Moscow warns about “the bullying potential and detention of US citizens due to Russian government security concerns, arbitrary application of local law, limited flights to and from Russia, the embassy’s limited ability to assist US citizens in Russia, and the possibility of the terrorism”.
Furthermore, he stated that “terrorist groups, both transnational and local, and individuals inspired by extremist ideologies continue to plan possible attacks in Russia” and recalled that “travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, is prohibited for US government employees and is strongly discouraged for US citizens.”
The last public notice of its kind occurred in September after President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization. The Federal Security Service (FSB) said in January that prosecutors had opened a criminal case against a US citizen on spying charges.
Last December, American basketball star Brittney Griner was released in a prisoner exchange after being sentenced to nine years in a penal colony for possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil -banned in Russia- after a trial described as a farce by Washington.
Paul Whelan, a former US Marine, is serving a 16-year sentence in a Russian penal colony after being convicted of espionage charges that even Washington calls a hoax.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.