Americans Must Exit Russia ‘Immediately’; Embassy Has ‘Severe Limitations’: State Department

Refugees, mostly women with children, arrive at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland, on March 5, 2022. AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu

The U.S. State Department has asked Americans residing in Russia to leave the country as soon as possible, issuing a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” alert, warning U.S. citizens against traveling to Russia.

U.S. citizens in Russia face the threat of potential harassment by Russian government security officials, according to a travel advisory issued on March 5 by the State Department. The U.S. Embassy in Russia has “limited ability” to assist U.S. citizens in the country. The department also cited COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, limited flights into and out of the country, terrorism, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to call on U.S. citizens to “immediately” exit Russia.