State Department advises Americans to leave Russia ‘immediately’

by sam

Samuel Case, FISM News

 

The U.S. State Department issued an updated Russia travel advisory on Saturday, instructing Americans to leave the country “immediately.”

“Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.  U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately,” the advisory reads. 

The State Department warns Americans remaining in Russia that “the U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may change suddenly.”

The new advisory follows a security alert issued on Friday advising U.S. citizens to “consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available.” On Feb. 28 the U.S. authorized the departure of “eligible family members and non-emergency personnel” from the American embassy in Moscow.

The State Departments says Americans attempting to leave Russia should note that “some credit and debit cards may be declined as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks.” Likewise, “an increasing number of airlines are cancelling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines.”

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