Current travel advice for German nationals regarding traveling to Russia has been revised by the German Foreign Ministry, with a stronger emphasis on discouraging German citizens and individuals holding dual citizenship, from visiting Russian Federation. Before, the government of Germany had only advised against visiting Russia.

A press release from the ministry, issued yesterday, states that the decision to make the change was prompted by the ongoing severe deterioration of civil and human rights and disintegration of law and order situation in Russia, which include a soaring frequency of arbitrary arrests.

“In this context, [long] prison sentences are repeatedly imposed arbitrarily for public statements critical of the government — sometimes due to private statements on social media,” German foreign ministry officials warned in the release.

“In connection with unauthorized rallies and demonstrations, massive, sometimes violent actions by security forces can occur throughout the country,” the ministry press release read.

Germany’s Russia travel advisory revision comes only days after memorial events honoring the deceased opposition activist Alexei Navalny, who died under suspicious circumstances in an Arctic penal colony last month, hundreds of individuals in Russia were detained.

The latest advisory additionally cautions against traveling to the Russian regions bordering Ukraine. These areas, along with Moscow, have experienced several drone attacks in recent months. The press release emphasizes the possibility of further attacks, including on the public transportation system.

The US Embassy in Moscow has also issued an urgent warnings for Americans in Russia’s capital city.