Americans warned against all travel to Russia

Americans warned against all travel to Russia
Americans warned against all travel to Russia
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Written by Harry Johnson

A new US travel advisory, issued on Monday, gives Russia the same danger categorization as Afghanistan, Uganda and Syria.

  • US citizens warned not to travel to Russia under any circumstances
  • Americans specifically advising against visits to Russia’s southern regions like Chechnya and disputed Crimea.
  • US officials caution against travel due toย โ€œharassment by Russian government security officialsโ€.

The United States Department of State has advised US citizens to avoid traveling to Russia under any circumstances, warning that Americans could be kidnapped, arrested, tortured and jailed on trumped-up charges.

A new US travel advisory, issued on Monday, gives Russia the same danger categorization as Afghanistan, Uganda and Syria. As well as specifically advising against visits to Russia’s southern regions like Chechnya and disputed Crimea, US citizens are now being told to avoid Russia altogether.

The statement citesย โ€œterrorismโ€ย as one reason for US tourists to steer clear of Russia.

In addition, the US officials caution against travel due toย โ€œharassment by Russian government security officialsโ€ย andย โ€œarbitrary enforcement of local law.โ€ย The officials warn thatย โ€œspurious chargesโ€ย have been leveled against Americans, and that religious workers, as well as government personnel, could be at risk.

At the same time, Washington’s new travel advisory cites its limited ability to provide support to US citizens from its embassy in Moscow. In April, the diplomatic mission announced it would reduce its staff numbers by around 75% after it was banned by Russia from employing locals as part of a decree signed by Putin in response toย โ€œunfriendly acts,”ย rules imposed by Washington.

As a result, the US embassy in Russia will no longerย โ€œoffer routine notarial services, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, or renewal passport services for the foreseeable future,โ€ย its envoys said. In 2018, the US closed its consulate in St Petersburg and, in December last year, shuttered its offices in both the Ural city of Ekaterinburg and the Far East capital of Vladivostok. The decision, which Washington said came as part of a dispute over diplomatic representation, left America with no diplomatic representation in Russia outside of Moscow.

About the author

Avatar of Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson has been the assignment editor for eTurboNews for mroe than 20 years. He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is originally from Europe. He enjoys writing and covering the news.

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