The US Embassy in Moscow is calling on its citizens to leave the country.
She warns of possible forced recruitment and opaque judicial measures.
MOSCOW - The US is asking its citizens to leave Russia.
In a travel advisory issued Monday, the US Embassy in Moscow warned of possible security risks as a result of the Ukraine war and called on American citizens to leave the country immediately.
Warning of Russian mobilization - Americans to leave the country
In the travel warning, the US embassy addressed its citizens in clear words: “US citizens who are staying in Russia or traveling there should leave immediately.” The reason for this is the considerable security concerns caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The arbitrary persecution by the Russian judicial authorities is also a danger, the embassy said.
The travel advice points to "unpredictable consequences" as a result of the Russian war of aggression, including the possible forced conscription of Americans with dual citizenship into the Russian army.
"Russia may refuse to recognize US citizenship of dual citizens, deny them access to US consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them," the US embassy said.
'Wrongful arrests' - Embassy warns Americans
In addition, there is a risk of "unlawful arrests," which is why the embassy called on Americans to "exercise caution."
"Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the arrest of a U.S. citizen and unduly delay U.S. consular assistance," the diplomatic mission said.
Restricted commercial air travel, as well as economic sanctions and cash shortages, could also pose problems for US citizens living in Russia, the embassy said.
"The US Embassy has very limited ability to assist US citizens exiting the country," it said.
“Nothing new” – Germany also warns “dual nationals”
As the Russian internet newspaper
Moscow Times
reported, the Kremlin described the US embassy's travel warning as "something we've heard in the past, it's nothing new."
The Federal Foreign Office also strongly advises against traveling to Russia and also addresses citizens with dual citizenship: “German-Russian dual nationals must note that the Russian authorities only regard them as Russian citizens.
This also applies in the event of a possible conscription into the Russian armed forces.
The embassy cannot grant them consular protection.”
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. On the anniversary of the invasion of Russia in the war against Ukraine, experts fear a major spring offensive.
(mlh)