The Marine Corps has barred branch members from going to Ukraine and a couple of other neighboring countries amid the conflict.
“Due to the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, Marines are prohibited from travel to Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova,” the Thursday administrative message read, according to Military Times.
The order is applicable to all active-duty troops, reservists, and other Marines acting on orders.
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“Effective immediately, all Marines, regardless of parent unit, and all other military personnel attached to Marine units traveling to Europe on official travel (TAD/TDY) or personal leave are required to submit a travel clearance request (TCR) via the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System,” the order reads.
The State Department has listed a travel advisory for Ukraine, labeling it a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” country, citing the Russian military offensive and the coronavirus.
“U.S. citizens in Ukraine should depart immediately if it is safe to do so using any commercial or other privately available ground transportation options,” the advisory, which was updated earlier this week, reads. “U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine due to the active armed conflict and the singling out of U.S. citizens in Ukraine by Russian government security officials.”
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials have encouraged foreigners to join the Ukrainian resistance, despite the U.S. advising against it.
A State Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner earlier this month that they estimated the total of U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ukraine is roughly 6,600 as of last October, though it’s unclear what that number is now.
